“The days and nights that followed were a period of torment, not only to
the white men, but to Lone Star also as a result of her open display of
pity for them. She was forced daily to witness certain forms of torture
inflicted upon the prisoners.
“John Redmond bore these tortures without flinching, even daring to
smile between times upon Lone Star’s anguished face, as if to reassure
her that it was nothing. Paul Mitchell, his friend and partner, was not
quite as resolute in bearing these inflicted sufferings. Each new trend
these tortures were taking seemed but to increase his anger and
resentment toward the Indian maiden. He hated the warriors that were
enjoying his pain, but most of all he hated her for having been the
direct cause which instigated the red men in these deeds.
“After some days Lone Star learned from Singing Bird that in order to
punish her completely the Cheyennes were going to put the young men to
death in her presence on the dawn of a certain day.
“Thereupon a plan was made and late that night she succeeded in getting
one of the boys who was guarding the prisoners to allow her to go in the
wigwam on the pretense that she wished to give them some food.
“Her ruse was successful and she revealed to them how she intended to
help them escape. Redmond was overjoyed and admired her daring. Mitchell
also was thankful in the anticipation of his freedom, but viewed with
disfavor the attachment between his friend and the Indian maid.
Notwithstanding that she was risking her own life in helping him, too,
he never lost his resentment for her and as long as he lived he didn’t
even try to forgive or forget.
“As the time approached when they were to escape, Redmond mentioned that
he intended carrying Lone Star off with them. Mitchell was terribly
angered on hearing this, but to all his pleas his friend turned a deaf
ear.
“In the dark of a moonless night, Lone Star and Singing Bird waited for
them with their ponies, at a place not far from the Indian camp. The
discovery of the young men’s escape they knew would be made just about
the time the two women were returning and that, of course, would mean
exposure and certain death for them. So they valiantly determined to
flee after the white men had gotten safely away. They would outlaw
themselves rather than return to their people as traitors--and Death.
“A sound of dried leaves being trod upon warned them that Redmond and
Mitchell were safe from their enemies--so far. Then they appeared
through the trees.
“Without a word being spoken, the women motioned the young men to mount
quickly as time fled. And then Redmond with an imperious gesture
demanded Lone Star to mount the pony with Mitchell, for which act this
gentleman straightway swore to retaliate.
“Singing Bird and Redmond on the other pony led the way to freedom and
struck out for the Old Santa Fe Trail, and before the sun had set that
evening they had put great distance between their enemies and
themselves.
“They stopped to rest for the night, feeling sure of being safe from any
pursuers. While Redmond went to a near-by stream and got some fish for
the evening meal, Mitchell, with malice hidden under his smiling
countenance, gravely told Lone Star that John Redmond had secreted upon
his person a paper that represented great wealth. He told her that in
the event of encountering another attack or robbery it would be safer in
his interests for her to have it. If she cared about his safety, he told
her, she would manage to get it that very night while he slept and hide
it under the bright band that held her thick hair in place. If she
wanted to save him from any more robberies like the one her people had
just perpetrated upon them, this act would save him.
“In the depths of her trusting heart she believed him, and that night
accomplished her purpose, thinking it a deed of much loyalty.
“When the dawn came, penciling the gray horizon with streaks of pinkish
hue, Lone Star awakened to find her beloved Singing Bird ill and
suffering intensely. Awakening Redmond, they both discovered that
Mitchell was nowhere about. Thinking he had gone to the spring to
refresh himself, they awaited his return.
“A half hour, then an hour, elapsed and still no sign of him anywhere.
Becoming alarmed, they hurried to the spot where the ponies had been
tied the evening before. Where they had left two ponies grazing
contentedly in the lingering summer twilight, there was now only one.
“John Redmond uttered a cry of bewilderment and the truth of the matter
came vividly to Lone Star as she raised her hand to her forehead.
“The paper was gone!”