ON THE DEATH-TRAIL.
Bivouacked on the treeless plain, so far from the old trail and from the
timber ahead that they could see no sign of the Black Hillers or the
troops, the next morning's sun rose on the band of Sioux led by
Persimmon Bill. Used to all kinds of exigencies, the red men did not
mind either a lack of food or of water for so short a time. They were
only angered with the thought that those whom they had deemed an easy
prey had escaped them.
As soon as it was light, Persimmon Bill had the captured pack-horses
examined, and it was found that several of them were laden with
provisions. Others had ammunition and stores, and on some of them were
found kegs of liquor.
These the wary leader at once destroyed, telling his followers that
there was no foe so deadly to the red man as this fire-water and not one
drop should pass his lips or theirs. The provisions were at once
distributed among them, as also the stores, but the liquor was given to
the thirsty sands, where at least it could do no harm.
Then a council was held by the leader with the chiefs and head warriors
of the band, and it was decided that it would be foolish to pursue the
Black Hill people farther, now that troops were with them, unless a
large band of Sioux could be found. For it is not Indian policy to risk
battle against odds, or where there is danger of great loss and little
gain. To reach water and good hunting-grounds was their first necessity;
after that they could consider where next to go. Sitting Bull was
rallying all the tribes for war, and the "White Elk" had promised to
join him.
Gloomily the young Texan heard all this talk, and at its close, when a
decision had been arrived at, he said:
"Here we must part. I follow the trail of Wild Bill, if I follow it
alone. I had hoped to see him die a slow and cruel death, where I could
have heard him plead, and plead in vain for mercy. But that hope is
gone, if he reaches the Hills in safety. But he cannot live--he shall
not! I have sworn to kill him, and I will! The spirit of him who fell at
Abilene cries up from a bloody grave for vengeance, and the cry shall be
answered. You have been kind to me Addie Neidic, and so has he to whom
your heart is given. I shall never forget it. But our courses now lie
apart--I follow yonder trail, while you go I know not where. We may not
meet again--if we do, I shall tell you Wild Bill is dead!"
"Stay with us. I will yet help you to your vengeance," said Persimmon
Bill.
"No; it will be too long delayed. I am hot on the death-trail now, and I
will not leave it. Fear not for me. I shall hover near them till they
reach the Hills, and then I will not wait long to fulfill my work. When
the deed is done, if I still think life is precious, and his friends
press me too hard, I may look for safety, as you have done, with the
Sioux."
"Come and you shall find in me a sister, and in him a brother," cried
Addie Neidic.
"_A brother?_ I had one once," came in a low, sobbing cry from the young
Texan's lips; then, with his head bowed, and scalding tears rolling down
his cheeks, he drove the spurs into his horse, and sped away swiftly in
the direction of the old trail.
The Black Hawk horse, saddled and bridled, but riderless, galloped on by
the side of the Texan's fleet mustang, with no wish to part from his
company.
"He had death in his eye! He will kill Wild Bill, and we shall never see
him again," said Persimmon Bill. "The miners are rough, and condemn
before they try, and hang as soon as condemnation is spoken. I pity the
boy--for he is but a boy."
Addie Neidic smiled.
"We shall see your boy again," she said, "Something seems to whisper to
me that his fate is in some way linked with ours. I, too, feel sure that
he will kill Wild Bill, and then escape to join us. And you, my hero,
will rise till all these Indian nations call you king. How these who
follow you look up to you now, obeying every word or sign. And think, on
these vast plains, and in the endless range of hills, valleys, and
mountains, there must be countless thousands, who want but a daring,
skillful leader to make them the best light troops in the world."
"You are ambitions for me, dearest," said Bill, with a strange, sad
smile. "I hope to prove worthy of your aspirations. But we must move. I
head now for the Big Horn Valley, to meet Sitting Bull."