“We must remember, however,” interrupted Blakely, “that they are in all probability, the most powerful of all the tribes.”
“So I understand,” he answered; “and that is just what I am coming to. If we can advise Stut of our intentions, and induce him to make the trip through the country and inform his friends, we may be pretty sure of assistance from that quarter.”
“I think the Professor is right in his diagnosis of the case. If we can get an ally, even though it may be the weakest tribe, it will give us a vantage ground to work on; and I further believe that we can, by that means, consolidate the weakest of the tribes, and thus secure the mastery, and release those who are in captivity, by that means much quicker than by attempting it unaided.”
The Professor’s views prevailed. It was now near noon, and no hostile party was in sight. The fort was stowed away, and the march to the southwest, to avoid the village, began.
Stut was brought into conference, and between John and Blakely, he was informed that they were on their way to his people. At first his eyes kindled, and he beckoned to his brother, because this relationship had now been established between them, and imparted the good news, and after a moment’s hesitation, their brows grew dark, and the party knew what that symptom meant.
John grasped a gun, and pointed to it, and Blakely taking the hint, advised them that they need not fear the result of the undertaking. This seemed to satisfy them, and with a greatly altered countenance took up the work of scouting on the left side of the wagon.
It was desirable to keep sufficiently far from the village to hide the movement of the wagon, and at the same time remain close enough so that they would not be brought into the vicinity of the other village to the south.
Thus the march proceeded forward for fully two hours without an incident. Then John signaled a halt. He had reached the well-beaten trail or highway between the two villages, and this must be patrolled in both directions before the wagon could be sent across.
The necessity of this was apparent when it is understood that they were now in comparative open ground, and only an occasional tree was in sight. Stut ran in and pointed to the south, and John went forward, and was quickly enlightened at the sight. Coming up from the lower village were the warriors, reinforced by a considerable number. They were more than a mile away, and the order was given to erect the fort.
Long before they came in the immediate vicinity they were ready to receive them, and the utmost quiet was observed. The band passed without observing them, and as soon as they disappeared at a safe distance, the fort was again reinstalled on the wagon, and the hurried march recommenced.