“Yes,” I replied. “Why do you put the question?”
“I wish to go there too,” he answered. “I want to tell the Palefaces living there that they are likely to be attacked by enemies who have sworn to take their scalps, and that unless they run away they will all lose their lives.”
“You do not bring us news,” I replied; “but you can accompany us to the farm and speak to the white chief, telling him what you know—although I do not think it likely that he will follow your advice.”
“Come on, come on, Ralph,” cried the lieutenant; “do not lose time by talking to that fellow.”
I quickly overtook my companion; while the Indian followed, notwithstanding his tired appearance, at a speed which soon brought him up with us.
As we rode up to the house, Uncle Jeff appeared at the door.
“What has brought you back?” he exclaimed, with a look of surprise. “Glad to see you, at all events; for we have had our friend Winnemak here with news sufficient to make our hair stand on end, if it were addicted to anything of that sort. He declares that the Arrapahas are coming on in overwhelming force, and that, unless we are well prepared for them, we shall one and all of us lose our scalps. He has gone off again, though, promising to make a diversion in our favour, as he has been unable to get his people to come and assist in defending the farm, which would have been more to the purpose. However, as you have returned,—and brought your two deserters, I see,—we shall be able to beat the varmints off. No fear of it, though they may be as thick as a swarm of bees.”
A few words explained how we had fallen in with the runaways.
The Indian who accompanied us then stepped forward. He told Uncle Jeff that he was a Pawnee, that his name was Piomingo, and that, having a warm affection for the Palefaces, he had come to warn us of the danger in which we were placed, and to advise us forthwith to desert the farm and take to the mountains, for that we had not a chance of defending it against the numerous bands of Arrapahas who were advancing to attack us. They had, he said, put to death all the white men, as well as women and children, they had met with in their progress, as their manner was to spare no one; and they would certainly treat us in the same way.
“We have already heard something of this,” said Uncle Jeff, looking as unconcerned as he could; “but how did you happen to know about it?” he asked.