“Why should I attempt that?” she asked. “Where would my feeble limbs serve to carry me?”
“Suppose Injin brave no tie White Bird?” he asked, in a still more kindly manner.
“I will thank him,” was the brief reply.
“Red Wing will leave White Bird free,” he remarked, looking hastily round to see if his movements were observed.
The others were all busily employed in collecting wood, preparing meat for roasting, and the various duties of a bivouac. The Indian noticed this, and leaned idly against a tree, while Emily again relapsed into a sorrowful reverie.
The savages soon had a large fire, and were seated around it, employed according to their fancies or appetites. One of them approached the prisoner, and offered her a liberal slice of well-roasted venison. She refused it, for she could not eat, and the brave, with a scowl of anger, returned to his seat beside the fire.
Indolently squatted around the fire, smoking or dozing, the party remained for an hour, when the signal was given, and they began to prepare for the continuation of their journey. The braves were in the worst possible humour, for they disliked the idea of being sent back with a single captive, when they had expected to remain and take part in the work of destruction and bloodshed.
The horse Emily had ridden was tied to a sapling near by, and the Indian she had previously displeased, now unfastened and led it to her side. A sullen scowl was upon his features, as he seized the maiden by the arm with a grasp which caused her to cry out with pain. Red Wing, who had been standing near Emily, was upon the point of lighting his pipe at the fire. Hearing the outcry, he turned quickly, and with fierce displeasure upon his features, sprung at once to the scene. With a powerful grasp upon the arm of the offending savage, he hurled him back, and stood like a tower of strength before the affrighted maiden.
“Why does Red Wing place his hand thus upon another brave?” demanded the incensed savage, his very utterance almost choked with passion.
“Why does the Dark Cloud seek to harm the pale-face maiden?” retorted Red Wing.