Besha did not lose this favourable opportunity for calling the attention of the latter to the subject of the prisoners, in whose behalf he expressed a hope that she would use her best exertions.
Bending–willow smiled, and said that she was a woman, and had no power in the council of the tribe.
The crafty horse–dealer saw at a glance how the assertion was belied by the smile, and replied,—
“When White–bull speaks, the braves listen: when Bending–willow speaks, does not White–bull listen too?”
The Upsaroka beauty looked down and counted the beads upon her new bracelet, with an expression of countenance which encouraged Besha to proceed. “These white men are of no use in the Upsaroka camp; they eat and drink, and kill no game. If they are sent back to their own people, the lodge of White–bull will be full of presents, and the women will say, ‘Look at Bending–willow; she is dressed like the wife of a great chief!’”
By these, and similar arguments, the Crow bride was easily induced to connive at the plot laid for the liberation of the prisoners. Being a good–natured creature, and feeling that the kindness of Prairie–bird to her had been ill requited, she was the more willing to favour the white people, and only held Besha to the promise that, in contriving their escape, no injury should be done to the person or property of any of her tribe.
With the assistance of Bending–willow, Wingenund found several opportunities of conversing with Ethelston and the Black Father; but the camp was so strictly guarded that they could not devise any plan that seemed to promise success, while a failure was sure to bring upon them more rigid confinement, if not a severer and more summary punishment. Wingenund was authorised by Besha to comfort them with the assurance that they had a true friend in White–bull’s bride, and that they were quite safe from the malignant designs of Mahéga. On the other hand, the horse–dealer positively refused, under present circumstances, to incur the risk of aiding their escape while the position of the camp was so unfavourable for it, and the Crow sentries were kept so much on the alert by the immediate vicinity of War–Eagle’s party.
Under these circumstances, the youth had slipped away by night to consult with his friends whether the liberation of the prisoners should be attempted by force, or whether it might not be more advisable to throw the Crows off their guard by discontinuing the pursuit, and leaving it to the ingenuity of Wingenund to devise a plan for their escape.
These two alternatives having been duly discussed in council, it was almost unanimously agreed to adopt the latter; and Wingenund prepared again to return to his perilous post, having received from War–Eagle, Reginald, and Prairie–bird the praises which his skill and enterprise had so well deserved.
He did not forget to take with him a small supply of beads and trinkets, which he concealed in his belt, and which were destined to secure the continued favour of Bending–willow.