Oonalooska’s expression remained immobile, and Eudora threw a look at her wounded lover, but her lips uttered nothing. Her dark eyes shot a mingled look of determination and defiance toward the door.
All at once a tomahawk struck the oaken planks, and a terrible yell followed.
It was the war-whoop of Tecumseh!
Leperto, the petted wolf, answered it with a dismal howl.
CHAPTER V.
THE MYSTERIOUS DEATH-SHOTS.
Let us witness the return of Tecumseh, and follow the great chief and the Wolf-Queen to the hermit’s cave.
Jim Girty did not desert his post, when he found the wigwam tenantless. On the contrary, he told his band to increase their vigilance, and remained immobile in the doorway of the lodge. He knew when Oonalooska disappeared with his prisoner, and he breathed freer than he had done for long hours. A run of three hours would bring the young brave to the homes of the exiled Mingoes, across the threshold of which, even Tecumseh, with all his greatness, dared not step, upon other than a friendly mission.
He felt that he could conciliate Tecumseh, and that, when the spasm of frenzy, that now ruled Alaska’s heart, passed away, he could command Oonalooska to return with the captive.
The storm, which proved of brief duration, did no damage to the village, and midnight brought Tecumseh.
Several braves deserted Alaska to greet the returning band, and presently the mighty Shawnee, with angry countenance, faced the white-faced renegade.