“Not that I am interested in?” she asked.
“Perhaps so; listen: Several weeks ago a brave young soldier, recently married to a girl almost as lovely as yourself, went out to ride from the fort. They never came back, and their people and the Great Father at Washington are grieved because of it.
“For many days the pony soldiers and walkaheaps have searched the plain for the missing ones. Now the Great Father has asked me to try to find the young lieutenant. I have traced him thus far. That is my mission here. Little Moonbeam, can you give me any word of encouragement or tell me anything of their fate?”
The girl stood blushing and paling. She was manifestly disturbed by Pa-e-has-ka’s recital; but she calmed herself with an effort, and replied in a low voice:
“Pa-e-has-ka has done well to trace the lost soldier and his bride so far. If his trailers should be able to discover it in the much-trodden soil beyond, it would lead him on. But Pa-e-has-ka will do well to turn back and wait with patience.”
“Can Little Moonbeam tell me if both are alive?” the scout insisted.
“Both are alive, although the brave young soldier was pitifully wounded. But he is recovering, and some day will be allowed to go back with his bride to their people.”
“May I ask you more?” queried the scout.
“No more now,” she answered. “Go back to the soldier village, and come again when the moon is round, and I will tell you more.”
“And Black Coyote and the child?”