After a time the enraged chief, pausing in his steps, stood by the side
of the silent warrior.
"Tell me how it happened," he said, apparently becoming calmer. "Tell
me all."
Maracota related the circumstances as they had happened.
"It was to save Nelatu's life that you fired upon the monster?"
"It was."
"And he--where is Nelatu?"
"He is close by. See, they come this way."
As Wacora looked in the direction indicated, he perceived his two
cousins approaching.
The beautiful maiden, now wan and sad, seemed absorbed in the
contemplation of some wild flowers which she held in her hand. There
were others wreathed in her hair.
In this manner had she been conducted to the camp.
Nelatu turned to his sister, put his arm in hers, and was about to lead
her off, when a man rushed into the presence of the chief, crying out as
he approached--
"Good news! The body of the white chief, Rody, has been found, and--"
The warning gesture had been lost upon the impatient speaker.
It was too late now, Sansuta had heard the fated name.
Casting from her the flowers she had been trifling with, she uttered
shriek upon shriek, running wildly and beseechingly, backwards and
forwards, from her brother to her cousin, who both stood spell-bound
with surprise and grief.
"Where have you hid him? Give him to me. You shall not kill him; no--
no--no! I say you shall not hurt him! Warren! Warren! 'tis Sansuta
calls. Murderers! He never injured you. Take nay life--not his!
Warren! Warren! Oh, do not keep him from me. See, that is his blood
upon your hands--his eyes are closed in death! It is you, wretches,
that have murdered him. No, no--stand back--I would not have you touch
me whilst your hands are red with his blood. Back! back! I will find
him!--No, you shall kill me first!--I will find Warren Rody! Help,
help! save me from his murderers!"
With renewed screams of agony that struck horror into the listeners'
hearts, the girl, eluding their grasp, darted away into the forest.
At a signal from Wacora, Nelatu started in pursuit.
"May the lightnings blast all who have brought about this! Fool that I
was just now to feel pity for the pale-faces; nothing that revenge can
accomplish will make up for this. Here I swear to take vengeance far
more terrible--vengeance to which that of last night shall be but a
mockery!"
With these words the young chief hastened away from the spot, followed
by Maracota and the messenger.