When the pipe was put away, a brave leaped to his feet, and began an impassioned harangue, making many gestures.
“He is demanding that all of us be put to the torture in the morning,” declared Jasper Williams, who had a fair knowledge of many of the Indian tongues. Roger shut his teeth hard together, and repressed the groan that almost escaped him.
Another and yet another warrior followed the first. Some spoke more soberly, and these were the elder ones; perhaps they were counselling that it might be well to keep the whites prisoners, and demand certain favors of the invaders as a recompense for sparing their lives. But the fiery younger element seemed to be vastly in the majority, as Dick realized when a dozen had expressed their views.
What the thoughts of the two boys were would be hard to say. Doubtless their minds turned backward to the happy homes, far away on the bank of the Missouri near its junction with the greater Mississippi; and they could picture those they loved so dearly, waiting as the weeks went by for some tidings of the brave sons and brothers who had taken upon themselves the dangerous task of finding the one man who could save the homesteads from the scheming French trader.
“It’s all over!” exclaimed Roger, with a gulp; and the next moment a din arose that must indeed indicate that the council had been declared ended.
“What did they decide, Mr. Williams?” asked Dick, trying his best to keep his voice from betraying the fact that he was trembling all over with excitement.
The scout groped in the darkness until he could put a hand on the shoulder of each boy. He had bad news to communicate, and in his simple way wished to give them what little encouragement the touch of his hand might possess.
“I’m afraid the decision was against us, lads,” he said, solemnly.
“Then we will never live to see the home folks again,” spoke Roger, between his set teeth.
Dick was surprised to find how bravely his cousin took it, and this convinced him that much of Roger’s nervousness was on the surface, and that, when it came to a pinch, he could show just as strong a front as the next one.