Again Solomon Strange started—this time at sound of the woman’s voice, though his disguise concealed his emotion. As he took the provision, however, Silver Voice caught sight of his eyes that glowed like burning coals of fire through the hairy mask, and caused a strange feeling to pervade her breast.
“Yes, Black Bear is quite hungry,” Strange replied, watching to see if his voice attracted her notice.
It did. The woman started and turned to flee with sudden fear.
“You are not Blufe Brandon!” she exclaimed.
Solomon Strange seized her by the arm and prevented her escape. Then he stooped and whispered something in her ear. She would have involuntarily screamed, but Strange placed his claw-clad hand over her mouth and prevented her.
“Hush! for God’s sake!” he exclaimed in an undertone, “do not expose me, but help me.”
Here was more mystery. What could this strange, wild man be to Silver Voice? And what she, to him? And why did he have the power to hold her spell-bound—speechless? Alas! why, and for what?
For fully ten minutes Silver Voice remained in the lodge with the false chief, in a low and earnest conversation. Then she went out and returned to her own lodge to the left of the council-lodge.
Presently, her husband, Allacotah, entered Black Bear’s tent. He found the supposed great chief lying upon the couch of skins.
“Is the great Black Bear unwell?” asked the young chief.