LOYALTY
There was no more sleep among the aroused Chilcats after Natsatt left.
They spent the remainder of the morning until daylight discussing what
they had heard. Various views were given as to the meaning of the
strange sounds, but all at length agreed they had something to do with
the white men. Owindia remained silent, and listened to the discussion
which took place. She watched the Chilcats closely, especially the
chief's son, as she felt he could not be trusted. That they had some
plan in view for the day was quite certain. They had promised to take
her back to the Post, and she anxiously awaited for the time to arrive
when they would start. She thought much about Natsatt, and wondered if
he was still hiding among the trees. How she longed to be with him in
order to tell him everything, and why she had come to the Chilcats.
Would he ever know? she questioned with herself, or would he believe
that she had been false, and left him because she thought more of the
chief's son? She was very tired after her long night's vigil, and the
excitement through which she had passed. But there was no opportunity
to rest. She did not dare to sleep when the Chilcats were so near. How
could she close her eyes when the chief's son was prowling around. She
saw him watching her most intently. In fact he seemed to see nothing
else.
The Indians had begun to prepare their morning meal when the defeated
brave glided into their midst. He was almost exhausted, frightened, and
his whole appearance betrayed the desperate ordeal through which he had
recently passed. He sank upon the ground before the fire, and for a
while refused to say a word. The Indians looked at him and then at one
another in astonishment. They associated his pitiable condition with the
weird sounds of the night. Had the terrible creature attacked him? What
else could it be which could so affect the strongest and most daring
warrior of the whole band?
At length his tongue became loosened and he told in a few words his
encounter with the half-breed, and his own narrow escape. It cost him
much to tell the story of his defeat, and it was easy for his companions
to notice the sullen anger which burned in his heart, which expressed
itself not only in his eyes but also in the short sharp words he jerked
forth.
The whole band of Chilcats was by this time thoroughly aroused. They
understood now how they had been deceived during the night. They had
been watched by one from the Post, who no doubt had made the startling
sounds. It stirred them to a spirit of revenge. How the white traders
would laugh at them, and call them papooses. But they would show them
by action that they were not cowards. This was the feeling of all the
warriors and they gave vent to their wrath in no uncertain language. One
Chilcat had been defeated, but the whites would have no cause for sport
when the whole band swept upon them. They, therefore, set at once to
work forming plans for the intended attack. Some of them drew aside, and
spoke in a low voice.
What these latter said Owindia could not tell. She believed,
nevertheless, that their conversation had something to do with her, as
occasionally they turned their heads in her direction. She had been much
interested in listening to the report the defeated brave had brought
into camp. She knew without a doubt that the man who had overcome him
must be none other than Natsatt. Her heart thrilled at the thought. How
she should like to see him to tell him how proud she was of him. Some
men would not have spared an Indian who had made such a cowardly attack
upon him. It showed to her Natsatt's character in a new light. He was
brave, strong, and merciful. Little wonder then that he should seem to a
maiden such as Owindia a hero of heroes.
The Indians had eaten their breakfast before the sun had risen above the
tree tops. They then began to make ready for some immediate movement.
Owindia watched them closely. Not a word had been said about taking her
back to the Post. She was tired after the weary night vigil, and she
longed for rest. From what she had heard about the Chilcats seeking
revenge upon the white traders she began to feel that they had forgotten
their promise to her. She must, therefore, find out as soon as possible
what they intended to do. The chief's son was standing not far away
talking with several braves. Walking quietly up to him she remained
perfectly still until he suddenly turned and saw her.
"What does the Ayana squaw want?" he asked, "and why does she come to
the chief's son? She has no heart and no eyes for him."
"The Chilcat brave speaks true," was the calm reply. "Owindia has come
to save her own people. Her heart is with them, but her body is with
the Chilcats. Will the chief's son keep his promise he made to her last
night, and take her back to the Post?"
"The chief's son always keeps his word," was the reply. "He will take
her back to the Post. But first let the Ayana squaw tell how many white
traders there are."
"Owindia cannot tell," came the low response. "The white men are her
friends. But let the Chilcats be careful how they come near the Post."
"The Chilcats are not afraid of the white traders," and the leader
looked around proudly upon his men as he spoke. "In one night the
Chilcats will be within the Post, some of the white traders will be
dead, and the rest will go back as prisoners to the coast. The Ayana
maiden will go, too. Does she think to get away from the chief's son so
soon?"
Owindia's heart sank at these words, though she presented a brave face
to the boaster. She felt there was only too much truth in his words, and
that the defenders at the Post had a very slim chance of escape against
that determined and ruthless body of warriors. They had come a long way,
and were not to be easily deprived of their prey.
It was not long before the whole band of Chilcats were ready for
departure. They were well armed with muskets they had obtained from
the white traders along the coast. They carried pistols, too, sharp
knives and hunting-axes. They were a formidable band of men, two hundred
strong, of whom a force three times their number might have good reason
to fear. They advanced with an easy motion, and scarcely a sound did
they make as they threaded the forest straight toward the Post.
Owindia, surrounded by several warriors, including the chief's son,
walked some distance behind. She knew from their action that their
motive for leaving the camp was not to restore her to her own people or
to the white traders. What they had in view she could not guess as no
one confided to her the secret.
After crossing the wild meadow the Indians began to spread out to the
right and to the left. Ere long all had disappeared among the trees
except two who remained with the maiden. These led her straight toward
the Post, over the very way she had recently traversed. Reaching the
open where the white men would be likely to see them, the two braves
placed Owindia in front, while they walked behind keeping very close
to each other. The maiden thus protected them, and it was not likely
that the defenders of the Post would fire upon a woman. Owindia was
then ordered to go forward, and she, thinking at first that they were
to fulfil their promise to her, readily obeyed. Her step quickened, and
soon she would have increased it to a run had not strong hands been laid
upon her when they came within speaking distance of the Post.
"Why does the squaw hurry?" asked the Indian who was detaining her.
"Does she think to get away from the Chilcat braves? She is mistaken
then, for she must stay here."
"What does the brave mean?" Owindia replied, turning and looking into
his face.
"Does not the Ayana squaw speak the white men's tongue?"
"Ah, ah," came slowly from the maiden's lips.
"Speak, then, to the white traders, and tell them to come out to meet
the Chilcat braves, and hold a Council here in the open. Say to them
that they are many, and the Chilcat warriors who stand here are only
two. They bring a message from the chief's son. He does not wish to
fight against the white traders. He would be their friend. Let them,
therefore, come and talk the matter over with the messengers he has
sent. The Ayana squaw must say these words, for though the Chilcat
braves who stand by her side cannot speak the words of the white men,
they will understand much of what she says. If she fails to speak what
is told her she will never see her own people again."
With fast-beating heart, and bent head Owindia listened to the brave's
words. She comprehended now the treachery of the Chilcats' design. She
thought of the rest of the band who had separated at the wild meadow.
The meaning was all clear to her. They were lying in ambush, hidden
among the trees not far off, ready to hurl themselves upon the white
traders if they fell into the trap which had been laid for them. Her
eyes intuitively sought the forest, and she imagined she could see many
forms slinking along the edge. The braves noted her look, and read its
meaning.
"The warriors are there," said the spokesman. "They are watching, and
will know what the squaw says."
"But what are they there for?" Owindia demanded, now looking the Indian
full in the face.
"To watch the Council. They wish to be near to see the great white
warriors. They have heard much about them, and now desire to look upon
them."
At these words Owindia drew herself up to her full height. She was no
longer a cringing Indian girl, but a woman thrilled by a nobleness of
purpose which could meet suffering and death without a tremor. The white
people were in danger. Should she repeat those words and draw them forth
the blame would be upon her own head. Natsatt would come, she was sure
of that, and how could she see him surrounded by the Coast wolves, and
either killed before her very eyes or taken back across the mountains
for a worse fate? Would she not be a traitor, and what would her father
say? It was not so much through reason as by natural perception and
instinct of the wild that she arrived at this conclusion.
"Will the squaw speak?"
The brave's voice startled her, and she glanced quickly toward him.
"Owindia will speak," she replied. "What else is there for her to do?"
"Be careful what you say," came the warning. "Speak only such words as
you were told."
A faint expression of contempt, mingled with triumph might have been
detected upon Owindia's face as she turned away from the brave at
her side. She looked toward the Post. It was as silent as death. The
barricade stood out grim and defiant. It was but a small structure
there in the wilderness, defended by only a handful of men. Yet it was
standing boldly up before a hostile band of natives, who for long years
had held the land in subjection and cruel bondage. It was the sign of
the advent of a new day, the prelude of the coming of a dominant race,
strong, progressive, and grasping. The Chilcats might beat down those
wooden walls, they might annihilate the defenders, and for a time seem
to conquer. But they could not through pillage and slaughter stem the
current which had already set in small at first, but increasing in
force and intensity until it had swept the power from their grasp.
Owindia knew nothing of this, neither did she realise how great was the
import of her own heroic action in seeking to save the lives of those
few white traders, the forelopers of a varied throng yet to come. Her
thoughts were upon her lover. He was behind those walls, and him she
must save, no matter what the cost to herself. No sign of life could
she see at the Post, though she was well aware that watchful eyes were
peering through the port-holes of the fortification. She was not far
away, and could, therefore, be easily heard.
"White traders," she began in a clear, firm voice, "the Chilcats ask you
to come out here to meet them, to talk with them. But do not come. The
whole band is lying among the trees waiting to fall upon the white men,
and kill them. Owindia gives the warning. She speaks true."
The last words had barely left her lips, ere she was rudely seized by
the arm, and hurried away from the open, back, amidst the forest, back
to the lurking, expectant Chilcats.