The old man threw himself upon his couch, while Mayne proceeded to dress the arm according to the instructions of its owner.
In time, the young man told the old Medicine that he desired the liberation of Eudora, and Okalona said that the coming night should witness her freedom.
“When darkness comes Co Hago can go and bring Oonalooska and the Lone Man to Okalona’s lodge,” said the Medicine, in conclusion, having been reticent regarding the course of liberation he intended to adopt.
No more opportune time than the coming night suggested itself to the young hunter, and the sudden change of affairs caused the fates to appear propitious. With Jim Girty a doomed man in the strong prison-house, and Simon a temporary maniac, Tecumseh absent, and Alaska, the mad queen, calm and unsuspecting, what better time could he have wished?
From Okalona’s lodge he returned to the double wigwam, from the door of which, Alaska had witnessed the startling scenes just narrated.
“Co Hago is worthy to be king of the wolves,” she cried, throwing her arms around Mayne’s neck. “Alaska saw him face the White Shawnee; but she did not go to his side with her children, for she saw that he would fight nobly, and conquer the bad white brothers.”
Mayne smiled at her words, and entered the lodge.
She followed, and threw herself upon the couch.
“Does Alaska know the Lone Man?” asked the young hunter, recollecting the emotion and singular words of the hermit when he parted with him on the knoll, the preceding night.
“The Lone Man is as a star to Alaska,” was the strange reply; “she can see him, but her arms are too short.”