“Why, I could'nt make it out exactly, but it seemed to me that there were rags and skins strung together in curious shapes, hanging all about it.”
“Did none see you?”
“No, not one; there was an old squaw who came out star gazing; she mistook me for a log, and had like to have stumbled over me, but all went well.”
“And you did not see the captive,” continued Rolfe.
“No; and every thing seems so quiet, that I begin to doubt if these devils from the river went there. If they had, they would have been talking that thing over one half the night, and showing their scalps the other half.”
“Then, if they have not,” said Rolfe, “the Prophet will aid us in our search, and even lend assistance to rescue the maiden.”
“It will be to his interest to do so,” said Earth, “and if he gives us any real help, it may serve to cover over that ugly trick of his, in refusing to give up that fellow who killed the storekeeper. But, Rolfe, I don't believe in Ingens strong as I do in the Bible. I hate 'em; Ingens and 'possums are very deceitful.”
“Is there no danger, however, in entering the camp in the morning, Earth?”
“No; none, I reckon; we will try it all events:—come now, hush, Rolfe, let's go to sleep.”
“I can't help thinking of that girl,” said Rolfe, “some how or other she seems to haunt me. I keep fancying I have seen her before.”