Lone-Elk told the Delawares that a crow, which flew down in the cornfield, was almost certainly Little Paleface himself, and as night came on he assured them that the witch would either be found in the cabin in the natural form of a man or be caught trying to escape in the form of a bird.
Some had asked why the witch would not simply become an animal or a cloud or some such thing and so easily evade them, but the Seneca’s only answer to this was a growl at their ignorance and a hint that only children asked such questions.
Much that Fishing Bird told him was so nearly the same as Kingdom had previously guessed that the information was in no way surprising. But one thing which did surprise and interest him a great deal was the friendly Delaware’s account of the escape of John Jerome.
Fishing Bird, having no belief in Lone-Elk’s talk of witchcraft and being anxious to aid in the escape, rather than the capture of the so-called witch, was even more intent in watching all that went on than were any of the others, Lone-Elk excepted. In this way he accounted for his discovery of some object beside the river bank in the darkness as he and two other Delawares were paddling noiselessly toward the cabin—an object which he partially recognized, though none of the others so much as suspected its presence. Solely for the purpose of giving warning he had made sounds which would be heard and which, he was certain, had been heeded.
Ree could only thank his loyal friend again and again and he did not hesitate to tell the faithful fellow that he had almost certainly saved John Jerome from capture. This pleased Fishing Bird greatly. His pleasure was quite equal to that of a child which is praised for some duty well done.
“In fact,” added Kingdom, putting his hand gratefully on the Delaware’s arm, “we can never begin to pay you back for all you have done for us. But still you can help us so much more that I want to feel that I can depend on you. I won’t ask anything of you which is going to get you into trouble, and if I do, you must tell me. Neither do I want you to do anything or tell me anything which you do not feel that you can willingly do or tell. Is this fair and friendly, Fishing Bird?”
The Indian thoughtfully nodded.
“First then, why did Lone-Elk come back here in the night?”
The Delaware did not know and said so.
“I can guess that, anyhow,” Kingdom went on. “But here’s a more important question, Fishing Bird. Who, or what, do you think, killed Big Buffalo?”