Vinnie poured out her story to her friend as they walked along the street.
Jack was so incensed, when she came to the upshot of the adventure, that he wished to go back at once and make the slim youth's acquaintance. But she would not permit so foolish a thing.
"It is all over now. What good would it do for you to see him?"
"I don't know; I'd like to tell the scamp what I think of him, if nothing more. He wanted a little fun, did he?" And Jack stood, pale with wrath, looking back at the hotel.
"If it hadn't been for him, I might not have seen you," said Vinnie. "Maybe you can't forgive him that!"
Jack looked into her eyes, full of a sweet, mirthful light, and forgot his anger.
"I'll forgive him the rest, because of that. Besides, I've no time to waste on him. I'm hunting for my horse."
He had written to Vinnie of his loss; and she was now eager to know if Snowfoot had been heard from.
"Not a hair of him!" said Jack. "I got an old hunter and trapper to go with me the next day; we struck his trail on the prairie, and after a deal of trouble tracked him to a settler's cabin. There the rogue had stopped, and asked for supper and lodgings, which he promised to pay for in the morning. The man and his wife had gone to bed, but they got up, fed him and the horse, and then made him up a bed on the cabin floor. He pretended to be very careful of his horse, and he had to go out and make sure that he was all right before he went to bed; and that was the last they saw of him. He bridled Snowfoot, and rode off so slyly that they never knew which way he went. He had struck the travelled road, and there we lost all trace of him. I went on to Joliet, and looked along the canal, and set stablemen to watch for him, while my friend took the road to Chicago; but neither of us had any luck. I've hunted all about the country for him; and now, for a last chance, I've come to Chicago myself."
"How long have you been here?" Vinnie asked.