All day the more cruel of the Delawares exhibited their impatience. All day squaws were busy adding to the collection of wood about the burning-post, set firmly in the ground at the edge of the collection of huts and wigwams that comprised the town. Between the logs of his prison John could plainly see all that went on.
It was late in the afternoon. Night’s shades were deepening. The sun had nearly sunk from view and a soft, golden light rested for a time on the bosom of the little lake.
With a glad cry an Indian came leaping into the village. Fishing Bird it was, and his joy at being safe at home once more was great. In a moment, however, his happiness vanished. In a trice he discovered the burning-post and the fagots piled near it. He guessed its meaning instantly, and his fears were immediately confirmed as he made inquiry.
Captain Pipe was just leaving the village but stayed a few seconds to give Fishing Bird greeting. He listened gravely to the younger Indian’s plea that the Little Paleface be spared. He shook his head. Then Fishing Bird told of the rapid ride Return Kingdom had made through the woods to save a Delaware’s life, and called Long-Hair and Little Wolf to tell of the part they had had in that undertaking.
“A council shall be held. The Delawares will give the one accused of witchcraft a fair trial,” said the chief at last. “If then it is found that, as a witch, the Little Paleface killed a warrior of the Delawares, he must suffer the penalty. Fishing Bird can ask nothing more.”
Very soberly the friendly Indian approached the place of the white boy’s confinement and told him that for the present his life was spared.
John’s happiness in seeing the loyal fellow once again, and in having another friend at hand, was inexpressible. Soon he had learned all that the Delaware could tell him concerning Ree and what the latter had been doing.
“One thing, then, Fishing Bird, you must do for me,” he said. “Let Ree Kingdom know that I am to have a trial. Get Captain Pipe to let you bring him and his friends here.”
“Fishing Bird will bring them. Tell nobody,” the Indian whispered, and withdrew.
Before the coming of another day the Indian friend of the boy pioneers had left the village. He had found that the time of the council the Delawares would hold to place Little Paleface on trial would be the following afternoon. The torture fire would be lighted in the evening, if the boy was found guilty, as was very certain to be the case. It was with great news to tell and many conflicting thoughts in mind, therefore, that he sped through the woods to meet Return Kingdom at the spot agreed upon.