It was not until they were out of the forest that Jehiel spoke a loud word, but now he felt that he was out of danger, and he said:
"Little gal, you had a purty hard time on't, didn't you?"
"Yes," replied Snowdrop. "Did White Panther send you after me?"
"Wa-al, he said I could come if I wanted to, and I felt as if my heart would bu'st if I didn't, so I come."
"The Long Hunter has a good heart to take Snowdrop from the hands of the Pawnee," said the Indian girl.
"Thunder! was them Pawnees?"
"Yes," answered Snowdrop, "and their chief, White Wolf, said he was going to keep me for his squaw. But I would have killed him first."
"Bully for you—you are the rummiest little chick in America! Did you ever—that is—ahem! you didn't love him much, I reckon?"
"No. I love your friend, the White Panther, and will be his wife."
"Lord! that can't be, for White Panther, as you call him, has got a wife already," said Jehiel.