The aged red man became flowery and eloquent as he described the beauty of the young woman who dazzled the sun with the light of her face, and those who saw her smile carried happiness ever after. She walked alone in the forest, and great bears and bull buffaloes lay down for her in mute homage. Her touch soothed the hottest fever, and if the red man must not live any longer she asked of the gods that he die happily and enter the happy hunting grounds.
This young woman came and went among the red folk and her word was law and her slightest wish was granted.
“What became of the white woman who went away with the child?” asked Buffalo Bill.
“Injun no see um again: all same fly ’way to people where come,” the Indian had replied solemnly.
The scout terminated his interview, promising to leave food enough for the old Indian and child until he could come again. He must first go to the fort, but might soon return and would visit the daughter of the moon.
Next morning with Hickok the scout set out and soon returned each with an antelope. These were left to supply the old man and child until they came back. They also left tea and tobacco.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
THE QUEEN OE THE STARS.
When Lieutenant Avery went down in the midst of the yelling horde a brave leaped from his pony and seized the hair of the young soldier, while another clutched the long tresses of the unconscious woman. But the eager ones were halted by an elder chief. Both prisoners must be taken to the Indian village, he told them, to trade for prisoners held by the pony soldiers. If the young officer was dead, he was brave, and the white men would give a live war prisoner for the body, but it must not be mutilated.