It was now daylight, and he took the opportunity to have another look at the Indian girl.
"Great Cæsar! But you are pretty," he said, as his eyes met those of the maiden.
"If this pale-face will only think so," she replied, pointing to Curtiss, "I shall be very happy!"
"Well, if he don't make you happy, I shall be tempted to punish him in some way!" said the scout.
"No, not that," answered the girl. "I saved him from torture, and now he is mine—yes, all mine forever!" said the impulsive girl, and she threw her arms round the white man's neck.
"There is no doubt but what the girl is in love," said the scout to himself, "and, as matters stand just now, I don't know but what it is the best thing that could happen for me, and it certainly is for him." Then he added, aloud—"If you and Nulela will remain here with old Pet, I will climb to the top of this rock and see if I can discover what the Sioux are about."
"All right," replied Curtiss—"we will wait here for you. But do not expose yourself unnecessarily, Kelly."
"I am not in the habit of doing that," answered the scout, "but let me advise you to keep on good terms with the girl. The more you can talk love to her, the better it will be for us, because if you make her angry she would not stop short of putting you again in the hands of her brother."
Proceeding down the stream a short distance, the scout came to a place where he could climb to the top of the rock.
Arriving there, he hurried to the end overlooking the valley, whence he could get a good view of the plains and the valley below him.