Agreeably to this decision, Paul Müller and Ethelston were confined in a lodge adjoining that of the chief, under a Crow guard, to whom strict orders were given to prevent their escape, and also to protect them against any attempt on the part of Mahéga or his followers. Besha was allowed to see them, and they learnt from him that their friends had been completely successful, and had recaptured the Great Medicine of the tent, as well as the ammunition and baggage. He further informed them, that he would do all in his power to effect their release; adding a significant hint that he should not be unwilling to receive tangible proofs of their gratitude.
The captives were, upon the whole, much comforted by this interview; and on his departure, Ethelston said, addressing his companion, “Reverend father, we have cause to be grateful for the intelligence communicated to us by this man, inasmuch as we expected no less than to be put to an immediate and perhaps a cruel death. Yet, methinks, for a messenger of good tidings, he has the most uncomely and villanous countenance that ever I beheld.”
“I will not say that his face recommends him,” said Paul Müller, smiling; “albeit the expression thereof may have been altered for the worse by the loss of an eye. I have seen him more than once before among the tribes bordering upon the Mexican frontier, and if my memory serves me, he bore the reputation of being a crafty and designing knave in his vocation; but I never heard him charged with cruelty or thirst of blood.”
“What, then, do you think are the motives for the friendly exertions which he professes to make in our behalf?”
“We will hope that they are partly owing to a grateful sense of the treatment he has experienced at the hands of our friend Reginald, and partly from the expectation of presents and rewards, which the Osage is no longer in a condition to offer. Meanwhile, we must solace ourselves in our captivity with the reflection, that my beloved pupil is safe under the charge of friends upon whose fidelity and devotion we can fully rely.”
Leaving the captives to comfort each other with these and other similar suggestions, we will return to Reginald Brandon, who forgot not, even in the enjoyment of Prairie–bird’s society, to occupy himself constantly in devising plans for their liberation. In these he was warmly seconded by War–Eagle and Baptiste; but, after carefully reconnoitring the Crow camp, they agreed that it was too strong to be carried by open attack by their small party, especially as they had learnt from Besha that the husband of Bending–willow, the son of the great chief, had just returned with his band, consisting of fifty chosen warriors, from a successful foray into the Black–foot country.
The wily horse–dealer was allowed, in his mixed capacity of interpreter and envoy, to pass from camp to camp; and, as both parties were desirous of securing his co–operation, presents were liberally heaped upon him; and his grey eye twinkled, as he cast it upon the increasing pile of goods at the back of his lodge. “There will soon be enough to exchange for a hundred beaver–skins,” said he to himself; “then Besha will look for some fine horses, and go towards the east.”
While he was thus congratulating himself on his prospects of future wealth, a tall figure darkened the entrance of his lodge, and the young war–chief stood before him. “White–bull[68] would speak with Besha,” said the former in a haughty tone, adjusting with dignity the cream–coloured robe from which he took his designation.
“Let the young chief be seated,” replied the horse–dealer, making at the same time a signal to one of his lads to offer food and a pipe to his guest.
White–Bull’s first impulse was to refuse this hospitality, but he checked it; and having tasted a morsel, and emitted two voluminous puffs of smoke from the pipe, he turned to the horse–dealer, and said in a stern deep tone, “Bending–willow is a prisoner in the white tent! Besha took her there, he must bring her back, for the heart of White–bull is dark—there is no light or pleasure without her.”