Crawford obeyed.
When sunrise broke, Crawford wakened much his old self, save for an unavoidable soreness. He interviewed Black Kettle and learned that Perrot was still too weak to travel fast, and the Dacotah would not go on without him; neither he nor they dreamed that the Star Woman was in acute peril.
The scouts reported that the force of Maclish was encamped without any immediate sign of attack. Crawford, after disposing his available force along the one assailable front, now protected by an excellent breastwork, joined them at breakfast and awaited the next move. Ere the meal was finished, the Star Woman appeared and came to Crawford and Frontin.
“We must send a messenger to Maclish at once,” she said.
“Maclish is already sending one to us,” rejoined Crawford. Her dark blue eyes widened upon him.
“How do you know?”
“I don’t; but I know Maclish.”
While she was still staring at him perplexedly, one of the scouts came leaping in across the breastwork with news. An Assiniboine chief had left Maclish’s camp and was coming toward the spot. He was unarmed, carrying only belts and a roll of birchbark. Crawford smiled at these tidings, gave orders that the chief be brought in, and met the startled gaze of the Star Woman.
“You see, I spoke truly. Do you imagine that we are masters of this situation? Not at all, I assure you.”
“I will go out and see this man Maclish——”