CHAPTER IV.
THE NEGOTIATION SET ON FOOT BY REGINALD FOR THE RELEASE OF HIS FRIENDS.—BESHA BECOMES AN IMPORTANT PERSONAGE.
Scarcely had War–Eagle entered within the breastwork by the side of his friend, ere his eager and indefatigable spirit prompted him to inspect the defences of the new camp, and to guard every approach open to the attacks of their dangerous neighbours. On this service Baptiste willingly agreed to accompany the chief; and while they were thus employed, Reginald undertook the painful task of communicating to Prairie–bird the intelligence that her beloved instructor was, with his friend Ethelston, a captive in the hands of the Crows.
Trials and sufferings of her own the maiden could bear with fortitude; but her feelings towards the missionary were those of the fondest daughter towards a parent; and when she thought of the risk that be incurred of ill–usage or death at the hands of his captors, she burst into tears, and exclaimed, “Oh, Reginald! cannot he be rescued ere it be too late?”
At the sound of that voice, and the sight of those tears, Reginald’s heart would have prompted him to rush headlong into the camp of the Upsarokas; but he felt that he would thereby only sacrifice his own life without effecting the object in view; and, moreover, he was by no means certain whether Mahéga and his party had conveyed their prisoner to the central camp.
The doubt and anxiety of his mind were plainly visible on his countenance, when a low voice whispered in his ear, “May Wingenund speak to Netis?”
“Surely, dear brother,” said Reginald, laying his hand kindly on the youth’s shoulder, “when I remember that it was Wingenund who guided me over the prairie to his sister’s tent, I were worse than ungrateful to reject his counsel now!”
“That young woman,” he replied, pointing to the captive bride seated in the corner of the tent, “is dear to the Upsaroka chief; she is his youngest wife, and his heart is warm towards her. Let the one–eyed stranger from the unknown tribes, who speaks many tongues, go back to the Crow camp, and tell the chief that if his prisoners are hurt, his bride shall be burnt alive; if they are set free, she shall return unhurt to his lodge.”
“It is a brave device, dear Wingenund, and shall be executed without loss of time; but can we trust the stranger?”