"No," she answered timidly; "another person ordered me to come here, where she will also come herself, as she has an important secret to reveal to me in the presence of the Sachem."
"An important secret?" Natah Otann repeated. "What do you mean? Of what woman is my sister speaking?"
"I am speaking of her who is called the She-wolf of the prairies; she has ever been gentle, good, and affectionate to me, in spite of the hatred she bears to the Indians."
"That is strange," the Chief muttered. "So you are waiting for her?"
"I am."
"But that woman is mad," the Chief exclaimed. "Do you not know it, my poor child?"
"Those whom the Great Spirit wishes to protect he deprives of reason, that they may not feel grief," she replied, softly.
For some minutes an almost imperceptible rustling had been going on in the bushes; this sound, though so slight, the Chiefs practised ear would have detected, had he not been entirely absorbed by his conversation with the girl. All at once the branches were violently torn asunder; several men, led by the She-wolf of the prairies, rushed toward the Chief, and, before he had recovered from the surprise caused by this sudden attack, he was thrown down, and securely pinioned.
"The mad woman!" he exclaimed.
"Yes, yes, the mad woman," she repeated, in a hoarse voice. "At length I hold my vengeance! Thanks," she added, addressing the three men who accompanied her; "I will now take his guard on myself, he shall not escape."