As if to favor his wish, at this moment a wild scream was heard overhead, and lifting his eyes, the mysterious Solomon Strange beheld the Aërial Demon floating over the village; so horrifying in its appearance that his blood seemed turned to ice.
Had a bomb-shell exploded in the midst of the exultant warriors that were dancing around the council-fire, they would not have scattered and fled in greater fear and terror.
The moment that the false Black Bear saw the young warriors flee with terror to their respective lodges, he hurried across the square and entered the lodge to the right of the council-house, which he knew to be the renegade’s.
All was dark within this lodge, so Strange went and procured a torch from the deserted council-fire. With it, he rummaged the room, making himself acquainted with every thing, nook and corner within it.
He then extinguished the torch, threw himself upon a couch of skins in one corner, and curious to say, this mysterious madman, who after all was not a madman, fell asleep and slept soundly until morning.
He was awakened by the sound of voices without, and rising from his couch he peered out.
At this moment a light footstep was heard approaching. The skin hanging at the door of his lodge was raised, and a beautiful Indian woman entered, carrying upon a tray of woven rushes some slices of venison and roasted fish.
It was the wife of Allacotah, Silver Voice!
Solomon Strange started like a wild man at sight of the woman, but she failed to notice it.
“The chief of the Cheyennes must be hungry, since he had no supper,” said Silver Voice, handing him the venison and fish.