A DESPERATE SITUATION
THE surprise of Jasper Williams was overwhelming when he learned that
these two lads had braved the dangers of the wilderness, week in and
week out, just to find him, so as to get his signature to a document
which Dick carried, safely sewed inside the lining of his hunting
jacket.
"Of course I'll be only too glad to put my name on it, if only we can
get out of this bad scrape," the scout declared, after he had heard the
story, and shaken the hands of Dick and Roger Armstrong many times.
"I know François Lascelles only too well, and it would give me great
pleasure to balk his little game; but just now, my brave lads, it looks
as if we'd furnish sport for the heathen at the torture post before
many days go by; they're feeling so angry at the whites for coming up
here into their country without first making all manner of presents to
them."
At that Roger remembered to tell the scout what a slender hope he and
his cousin were hugging to their hearts. Jasper Williams considered it
well, but did not seem too sanguine.
"Something might come out of it," he observed; "but I know Injun nature
too well to think the chief will spare us for that reason alone. If the
crowd wants to be amused, we'll be made to run the gauntlet to-morrow
at sunrise; and afterwards be burned at the stake, like as not. It's
something I always thought would happen to me. A borderer who has run
up against Injuns as much as I have must look forward to the time he'll
be caught napping, as I was, and pay the penalty with his life. But I'm
sorry for you, lads, because you've got mothers and fathers behind,
that'll mourn if you never come back again; while there's none to weep
for old Jasper Williams."
Roger, who had been busy over at one side of the cabin, now called out:
"They've lighted a big fire there in the open space, and I can see a
lot of the braves sitting down, cross-legged, around it. Do you think
they're going to hold a palaver, or council, to settle what's to be
done with us, Mr. Williams?"
"It looks that way, son," replied the scout, with a touch of pity in
his rough voice; "but I can tell better after I have taken a look
myself."
Both he and Dick had little trouble in finding crevices through which
it was possible to observe all that was going on. The fire around which
the Indians had commenced to gather was not so far removed from the
strong lodge but the listening prisoners could hear all that took place.
Only the warriors or fighting men were allowed places in the several
circles that presently surrounded the leaping flames. The boys and
squaws had to stand back, and take no part in the proceedings.
Running Elk was there in plain view, as was also the medicine-man of
the tribe, the latter decked out in his awe-inspiring decorations, that
gave out a jingling sound every time he moved so much as an arm. As the
medicine-man is usually the power behind the throne in every Indian
village, he can generally be found at the right hand of the leader or
chief, as an adviser. His favor is eagerly sought by braves and squaws,
for it is popularly supposed that when angered he can bring down the
wrath of Manitou upon the offender.
All this while there sounded the monotonous beating of tomtoms, or
drums made of skins drawn tightly over hollow sections of the trunk of
a tree. It was a weird sound, and particularly to those who, crouching
behind the logs of the strong lodge, were looking upon the striking
picture of these same Indians deciding what their fate should be.
For once Roger found no heart for talking, and it must be something
beyond the ordinary that could quench his desire to express his
feelings in words. Each of them merely sat there, looking at the
strange scene. It was terrible, and at the same time not one of them
could tear his eyes away from it, such was the fascination it possessed.
When all of the braves had assembled, the chief made a signal with
his hand, at which the sound of the beating tomtoms stopped short.
Then a red clay pipe was produced, and, upon being lighted by the
medicine-man, was first passed to the chief, who sent out a puff of
smoke toward each of the four points of the compass. Then the pipe was
passed to the next in line, and so on, until, after a long time, every
one in the first circle, evidently the leading warriors of the tribe,
had smoked. (Note 10.)
When the pipe was put away, a brave leaped to his feet, and began an
impassioned harangue, making many gestures.
"He is demanding that all of us be put to the torture in the morning,"
declared Jasper Williams, who had a fair knowledge of many of the
Indian tongues. Roger shut his teeth hard together, and repressed the
groan that almost escaped him.
Another and yet another warrior followed the first. Some spoke more
soberly, and these were the elder ones; perhaps they were counselling
that it might be well to keep the whites prisoners, and demand certain
favors of the invaders as a recompense for sparing their lives. But
the fiery younger element seemed to be vastly in the majority, as Dick
realized when a dozen had expressed their views.
What the thoughts of the two boys were would be hard to say. Doubtless
their minds turned backward to the happy homes, far away on the bank of
the Missouri near its junction with the greater Mississippi; and they
could picture those they loved so dearly, waiting as the weeks went
by for some tidings of the brave sons and brothers who had taken upon
themselves the dangerous task of finding the one man who could save the
homesteads from the scheming French trader.
"It's all over!" exclaimed Roger, with a gulp; and the next moment a
din arose that must indeed indicate that the council had been declared
ended.
"What did they decide, Mr. Williams?" asked Dick, trying his best to
keep his voice from betraying the fact that he was trembling all over
with excitement.
The scout groped in the darkness until he could put a hand on the
shoulder of each boy. He had bad news to communicate, and in his simple
way wished to give them what little encouragement the touch of his hand
might possess.
"I'm afraid the decision was against us, lads," he said, solemnly.
"Then we will never live to see the home folks again," spoke Roger,
between his set teeth.
Dick was surprised to find how bravely his cousin took it, and this
convinced him that much of Roger's nervousness was on the surface, and
that, when it came to a pinch, he could show just as strong a front as
the next one.
"But the council has not been dismissed yet, for the braves are still
sitting there as we saw them," Dick observed at this juncture.
"Unless I am much mistaken," Jasper Williams went on, "they are sending
guards to fetch us out. It was not fitting that we should be present
when they were deciding our fate; but, now that a judgment has been
rendered, we may be led forth to hear sentence pronounced by the great
chief. My lads, you know what the red heathen think of any one who
shows the white feather. Be brave now, I beg of you, for the honor of
the white race. Show them that paleface boys can stand pain just as
well as Injuns are taught to do."
Just then the door of the strong lodge opened, and warriors, coming in,
seized hold of the three prisoners; for the Wolf had evidently been
confined in some other prison, perhaps bound hand and foot, since his
fate did not have to be debated. He was doomed from the first, being a
hated Mandan.
So they were led forth. Roger, determined to prove that he was a son
of his father, shut his teeth hard together, and made up his mind
that nothing these savage Sioux could do would make him cry out. Dick
managed to lock his arm in that of his cousin, knowing that even such
contact would give the other heart.
Escape was impossible. All they could do was to meet their fate
bravely. And if Roger remembered what his cousin had said about it
being the darkest just before dawn, he must have smiled bitterly as he
contemplated the utter impossibility of anything happening to save them.
And yet, the bread which they had cast upon the waters so long ago was
due to return to them, here, now, in this most important crisis of
their lives.
They were hustled through the crowd of squaws and boys that had
gathered outside the triple circle of warriors. Numbers struck at them;
others pinched them maliciously, and threw dirt in their faces.
Then suddenly it seemed to Dick that a miracle had been wrought. A
squaw darted forward, threw one of the guards aside, and, seizing hold
of Roger, looked eagerly in his face, after which she appeared greatly
excited.
And Dick felt his heart give a great bound, as hope once more took
possession there; for he had recognized the face of this old squaw. It
was Karmeet, whom last he remembered seeing seated at their camp fire,
and, with the Indian girl, Dove Eyes, partaking of their humble supper,
to afterwards disappear so mysteriously in the night!