Tom secured the horses to a bush, and then taking a philosophical view of the matter, comfortably seated himself in a mossy nook, lighting his pipe and smoking with the gusto of an epicure. But Travers could not content himself thus.
Though he had known the maiden but a few brief hours, as time is usually computed, that seemed most like a year of ordinary time, so full of adventure had it been. The bright eyes and sweet face of Clara Calhoun, had made a vivid impression upon his heart, and he felt this suspense very keenly.
No doubt he would have laughed to scorn the idea of his being in love with her, had it suggested itself, but truly, the feeling he now experienced was not unlike the first dawning of that subtle sentiment called love. Honestly, the gallant captain was in greater danger then, than he had ever been before in the whole course of his eventful life, had he but known it.
Travers, in his anxiety to be doing something, scaled the hill and kept a close look out, to guard against being taken by surprise, in case the Arapahoe’s messenger should return. But Tom sunk into a peaceful doze beside his rock, no doubt living over again in his dreams the glorious sport he had so lately had, in outwitting and putting to rout his foes, the Arapahoes.
But all things must have an end, and that eventful night was no exception to the general rule. With the first golden rays of the rising sun gilding the eastern hill-tops, Travers descended to where Delaware Tom was awaiting his coming.
Their preparations for the coming campaign were necessarily very brief. A long draught from the creek, constituted all their breakfast for the nonce, as the last bit of food had passed their lips on the preceding night.
Then while the soldier secured the horses for marching, Tom quartered the ground adjoining the covert, where still lay the slaughtered Kisch-kouch, searching for the trail of the missing maiden. In a few minutes his glad cry echoed forth, and Travers knew that the quest had been successful.
As he hastened to the spot, his eyes, though keen, were at fault, though Tom declared the trail was remarkably plain—that Clara had passed over the ground at a rapid pace, though alone. A joyous cry burst from the captain’s lips at this welcome announcement, for now he did not doubt of being successful in finding the girl in a very short time.
It also confirmed the supposition of the Delaware, that she had taken affright at the wild tumult attending the surprise, and perhaps had fancied her friends were being overpowered. But now Tom stood upon his dignity as chief trailer, and motioned Travers back, to act as rear-guard.
The trail led down the hillside for some little distance, then crossed the ridge and descended into the level prairie beyond. Now even Travers could easily note the dainty footprints upon the dew-dampened ground.