THEY ASKED HIM TO GO WITH THEM.
“Lone-Elk well knows who put the tomahawk where he got it, Captain Pipe,” the prisoner found courage to say. But for doing so the warriors beside him smartly rapped his head with their knuckles, and the Seneca gave him a look of hate so fierce, so vindictive it startled him.
“The white brother’s time for speech is over,” the chief made answer coldly, and Lone-Elk now resuming his seat, he said: “The Delawares will hear any who wish to speak further.”
A travel-stained figure glided swiftly from the door to Captain Pipe’s side and spoke to him in quick, low tones that few could hear. It was Fishing Bird.
“There are Palefaces who wait with a white flag, Palefaces who wish to be heard,” the chief announced, in the Delaware tongue. “Fishing Bird may bring them here.”
Lone-Elk, with glaring eyes, rose hastily and would have remonstrated but with a kindly, yet imperious wave of his hand Captain Pipe motioned to him to sit down, and he obeyed.
In another minute Return Kingdom, followed by five other white men, stepped into the Council House.
“Captain Pipe,” said Kingdom at once, “we have put down our guns and come here without arms to say a few words to the Delawares which they may be surprised to hear. The Delawares are in council and it is a proper time to speak to them. We ask nothing more than that you let us be heard.”
“The Delawares will listen to White Fox,” the chief answered. “While the council lasts we shall be as friends. When it is over the Paleface brothers may go their way.”