CHAPTER VI.
BESHA PURSUES HIS CAREER AS A DIPLOMATIST.—AN AGREEABLE TETE–A–TETE DISAGREEABLY INTERRUPTED.—THE STEPS THAT MAHÉGA TOOK TO SUPPORT HIS DECLINING INTERESTS AMONG THE CROWS.
We left Besha engaged in an attempt to liberate the bride of the young Crow chief, by proposing to Reginald and his party an exchange of prisoners.
On arriving at the camp, he was allowed to pass by the sentries, and took his way up the hill to the tent of Prairie–bird. As soon as the object of his errand became known, a council was held, consisting of Reginald Brandon, War–Eagle, Baptiste, Pierre, and Wingenund; and, having heard the proposal made on the part of the Crows they proceeded to deliberate on the course to be pursued.
They could have no hesitation in agreeing to an exchange of prisoners, could that be effected upon equal terms; but the Crows insisted upon the return of Bending–willow, as a preliminary step towards the release of their prisoners, and to this Baptiste and Pierre were most strongly opposed, especially the latter, who had experienced on more than one occasion the proverbial treachery of the Upsaroka tribe.
Reginald was disposed, with the fearless generosity of his nature, to be satisfied with binding them, by the most solemn obligations recognised by their customs, to release their prisoners on the safe return of Bending–willow; but his opinion was overruled by his companions, and the horse–dealer’s mission wore a most unpromising aspect, when he bethought him of delivering the note written by Paul Müller to Reginald.
The perusal of this effected an immediate alteration in the sentiments of the council, and the restoration of the captive bride was decided upon. She was seated in the outer compartment of Prairie–bird’s tent, when Besha entered, accompanied by Reginald, to inform her of her liberation.
Pierre, who was still suspicious of some treachery, and who had some knowledge of the Crow language, placed his ear at the corner of the aperture, with the intention of discovering any under–plot that might be going forward.
Besha, however, was too crafty to be caught in such a trap, or else he did not intend to make Bending–willow the confidant of his real intentions; so he simply announced to her that she was free to return to her husband’s lodge, and that the white prisoners were to be restored in exchange for her.