They darted for the forest. Ahdeek bore Clearwater in his arms, and Silver Rifle ran by the White Tiger’s side. She had really been unharmed by the bullet meant to take her life.
The outskirts of the wood were gained as a pandemonium of yells rent the air. It was the conflict in the village over the new election. Wildcat had by artifice prevailed over the wily Mossuit, and the two factions were at war, under which most fortunate circumstance the fugitives fled on until the shores of the lake were reached. Then the miners’ castle was sought, and a large canoe taken from a dark passage leading from the main corridor.
The boat was launched without difficulty, but Ahdeek did not follow his companions to a seat in the craft.
“Come, Ahdeek,” said Dorsey Webb, looking with surprise upon the youth’s action. “What are you waiting for?”
“Ahdeek can’t go with his friends yet,” was the reply.
“Why, boy?”
“He must go to Snowbeard’s lodge.”
“His mind must be wandering,” continued the Destroyer to Silver Rifle. “Boy, Snowbeard died with the other traders, and the fiends burned his lodge to the ground.”
“Ahdeek go, anyhow. Snowbeard talk from his grave to him. Wait for Ahdeek in the cave where the winds never sleep. He be there to-morrow night.”
The next moment the half-breed was gone.