Where the feather was found they discovered indications that a struggle had taken place, for the grass was cut and torn, and the footmarks did not go straight on; there had been an interruption of the progress of the Indian.
“It’s clear as day now,” said the scout, rising and looking about. “Some redskin stole to the cabin while we were busy at the grave. He had seen her enter, and discovered that he could reach the cabin without being observed by us. The girl had lain down on her bed, and was perhaps half asleep, or may have had her head covered up. She did not see him, at any rate, until it was impossible for her to cry out; though his sudden appearance may have so frightened her that she could not utter a sound. Then he picked her up in his arms, perhaps choking her to make her keep still, and he carried her away into the hills.”
His nostrils were dilating and his bright eyes had become feverish, so strongly did this mental picture of the dastardly outrage appeal to his sensibilities.
“You’re right,” said Lillie. “That is an eagle feather, broken, no doubt, when at this point the girl made a fierce struggle to free herself. She tore out the eagle feather; but she could not escape, for he was too strong; and then, no doubt unconscious after that, she was borne rapidly away.”
“That fellow can’t be more than half a mile from here even now,” said the scout. “We’ll have to follow at once. I wish that Nomad——”
Even before he had finished expressing the wish that Nomad was there, they heard his shout, and saw him riding swiftly in on his old horse.
“Injuns!” he said, before drawing rein. “They’ve captered the gal’s hoss and lit out with it.”
“Did you see them?” Buffalo Bill asked.
“No; didn’t need to; but I seen what they done, and I seen their tracks, and the tracks of the hoss. I follered on a ways, to make shore I wasn’t mistaken, and then I rid ter tell ye.”
“The tracks were fresh?”