The Indians made straight for their village, but had not gone many miles before darkness came on.
The moon did not rise until late, but when she did, it was to light up the earth almost as well as the sun would have done. The Indians halted and ate their supper when it was dark and let their horses rest for several hours.
When the moon put in an appearance in the East, they mounted their horses and set out for the village.
Hour after hour passed away and it was nearly daybreak before they at length reached the village of the Comanches.
The tired horses knew by instinct that they were near home, and they whinnied their approbation and delight.
The Comanches themselves were not less glad, for they had been absent two days and two nights, and the greater part of that time had been spent in riding.
The village was quiet when they reached it, but it did not remain so long. Horses neighed, dogs barked, warriors yelled, pappooses screamed and women did any thing and every thing.
The prisoner was immediately thrust into a lodge and a guard set over him. Chauncy had had no sleep that night, and yet he could not shut his eyes now. So restless was he that he could not lay down, but with scheming brain he walked across his narrow prison, time after time.
Many plans for his escape suggested themselves, but he could do nothing with his hands tied behind him, and, notwithstanding all of his desperate efforts, he could not get them loose.
Then his mind turned to the Donna.