“Did pale girl see Indians burn Ahdeek?” asked Clearwater, suddenly looking up into her face.
“No. I saw him escape; but Oagla struck me when I cheered the brave fellow on, and when I opened my eyes again we were near the village. So they must have recaptured Ahdeek, and burned him, while I was unconscious.”
Clearwater’s head dropped upon her bosom, and the Girl Trailer heard her murmur away down in her heart:
“Poor, poor Ahdeek!”
“Clearwater, will Oagla find the ring?” asked Silver Rifle, rousing the Indian girl from her reverie.
“Oagla see like eagle, his braves like hawks,” was the response; “but ring hard to find in big woods. Clearwater hate all young braves now. Omaha never call her squaw. He know she love Ahdeek, and he thought he would kill him; then Clearwater must turn to him. But he miss mark very far. He better not cross Clearwater’s path in the forest; she always carry rifle on her shoulder.”
The white teeth met with vengeance over the last words, and Silver Rifle looked proudly down upon the loveless girl.
“Silver Rifle have to tell Indians that Nahma and Renadah died by her hand,” said Clearwater, after a long pause.
“Why, sister?”
“That right. Clearwater and Silver Rifle sisters now. She have to save one who was nothing to her.”