"Hold!" cried Winslow, stepping beside the young Indian. "See you not that he is desperate, and that if you try to bind him there will be bloodshed? He will surely kill you, if he dies for it the next moment. Leave him to me and I will guarantee to take him where you may desire, only I give you warning to treat him decently and without violence."
Thus saying the speaker held out his hand to Nahma, and by signs intimated that he was to accompany him.
By instinct the young American had recognized this youth as a friend, and now he unhesitatingly left the ship in his company.
As a mob would have been attracted by the appearance of an American Indian in the crowded streets, a covered cart belonging to the furrier was procured, and in it our lad was driven to a rear entrance of his master's shop, which fronted on a fashionable thoroughfare, while the others reached the same place on foot.
During that bewildering ride Nahma sat with stolid face but with keen eyes, taking in all the marvellous details of his surroundings. Next to the throngs of people hurrying to and fro along the narrow, crooked, and ill-paved streets, the appearance of horses most impressed him, for never had he seen beasts at once so large and so completely under the control of man.
No word passed between Winslow and the furrier until their destination was reached. Then the latter asked, sneeringly,—
"Now, me lud, vat vill your 'ighness do next?"
"I will go inside and see him disposed," replied the young man, calmly.
"Oh, vell, come in and view the royal apartments," said the other, willing to have Winslow continue his responsibility until the new acquisition was safely housed.