CHAPTER II.
THE FIGURE IN THE CHAPEL.
The youth’s voice broke the silence that followed his last word:
“The Chippewas face the White Tiger now!” he thundered, as his rifle struck his shoulder, and his eye swept the startled band before him. “He is not merciless. Bad Indians have lied about him; he does not live on blood. Now, back to your lodges toward the rising sun. I spare you now, but if ever you cross the White Tiger’s trail again, Chippewas, you shall feel his teeth then. I spare you for this time, because you are young warriors. Why stand you here staring? Back to the trails that lead to the council-fires. Back! I say, before the White Tiger slays!”
With the last words the youth’s cheek dropped nearer the rifle, and the muzzle almost touched the leader’s forehead.
“Go!” he thundered again. “Hark! the Manitou is speaking; he is painting the waves of Gitche Gumee with his fire.”
The dread of the White Tiger was manifest then, for, without a word in reply, the sub-chief turned on his heel, and strode deliberately into the forest.
“Warriors, follow your chief!” cried the Destroyer, and a moment later he and Ahdeek stood alone amid the prevailing darkness.
“They fear the White Tiger, Ahdeek,” said the youth, with a smile, as he turned to the young half-breed. “Boy, had it not been for your wounded condition, eight Chippewas would not have walked from this spot. But you could not assist, so I took advantage of the terror which I had inspired in their bosoms, and, see, they run from the White Tiger when he follows not.”
“Nahma has broken his word,” said the young half-breed, refusing to return the smile of mingled scorn and contempt that wreathed White Tiger’s lips. “He said that he would never show himself to the red-man while Ahdeek stood among them. They should not see Nahma and Ahdeek with one eye.”
“I know it, Ahdeek; but I could not avoid it to-night. Ahdeek was on the death-trail; Nahma was near, and his arm, his words, not forked like the trees, alone could snatch his brother from the jaws of death. Ahdeek will forgive, will he not?”