THE FIERY TOTEM
The two men--Arnold and Holden--were sitting alone in the teepee that
had been assigned for their use. Neither was speaking, for the day was
drawing to a close, and they were almost hopeless of seeing any avenue
of escape from the fate that the Indian superstition had ordained for
them.
We said "almost hopeless." Of course it was necessary to make that
proviso, for no one is ever hopeless in extremity, so long as he retains
faith in Providence. But every scheme that they had planned had been
proved void on consideration. Though free to a certain extent, they were
well watched. Escape was impossible, and their only remaining hope was
that when they were led forth for the sacrifice they might be able to
take advantage of some opportunity to make a last stand for freedom.
"It would not matter so much for ourselves, if it were not for the
boys," Arnold said at last. "Their position is too terrible."
"Of course they will be able to find their way back to Edmonton, when
they see that there is no hope of our returning----"
"_No_ hope?" repeated Arnold. "Don't say that. I don't want to give up
hope until the very last moment. Something _may_ turn up, and in any
case I intend to make a good fight for freedom."
"I suppose I do, too, when I think about it," returned Holden, with a
short forced laugh. "We both mean to kick up a bit of a dust when the
exciting moment comes----"
"And you may bet it will be exciting for the first redskin who comes
against my fist. I promised myself to have a go at that skunk
Thunder-maker, before I make my bow to the world. But for him, I believe
this trouble would never have gone so far."
"He certainly did his best to pile it on," agreed the younger man. "I
imagine that he was rather in hot water this morning, for I thought I
heard him yelling. There's no mistaking that harsh voice of his. And
there were sounds, too, for all the world as if some person were
getting a jolly good spanking. You were dozing at the time, so I didn't
disturb you. But I know I nearly waked you with laughing at the thought
of Thunder-maker receiving a good old-fashioned correction."
"It would take more than that to do him good," said Arnold, with a
frown. "The man is a cheat and a scoundrel of the worst sort. He showed
us what he was worth when he told us, two nights ago, that he had the
tribe by the nose. Even now, after telling us that he knew better, I
suppose he's working up the people for to-night's show."
Holden grunted contemptuously.
"He seems bad to the core. In my opinion it has been he who has kept
Mighty Hand away. The chief was ready to reason, but I expect
Thunder-maker's boast that he could lead the tribe was a true one."
"The old case of kings being ruled by their subjects," commented Arnold.
After this conversation again flagged. Having little to say of an
encouraging nature, the men deemed that silence was best, and each sat
engrossed with his own thoughts while the daylight waned and the
shadows began to creep over the valley that a joking fate had called
"Pleasant."
As time went on the Englishmen seemed to become aware of a sort of
disturbance in the camp. Feet were hurrying here and there, and voices
were speaking rapidly in low tones. Now and then, as some one passed the
teepee, the words "fiery totem" could be heard by those within, so
naturally the Englishmen attributed the excitement to matters relating
to the approaching sacrifice.
But presently the excitement seemed to grow more intense, and the voices
were raised to a higher pitch.
Unable to restrain curiosity any longer, the men went to look out from
the door of the teepee, and as they reached the opening a strange sight
presented itself before them.
Gathered in many groups were all the Indians of the tribe, including all
the squaws and papooses, while the tall figure of Mighty Hand could be
seen through the gloaming, standing erect upon a hillock at a little
distance to one side.
All had their backs turned towards the Englishmen.
They were facing the towering blackness of a mighty cliff, while with a
sudden wave of silence they stood doubly transfixed, with eyes directed
to one portion of the dark wall, where a sort of light was dimly
glimmering.
What could it be that had such a power to fascinate the whole tribe?
The Englishmen looked in the same direction, but the object seemed to be
nothing more than an irregular line of light that might have been some
reflection caused by the setting sun.
Still all watched in silence.
And, as the darkness deepened so did the light become clear. From an
irregular line about ten feet long it seemed to take form gradually,
while it undoubtedly intensified in brightness. Clearer and still more
plainly was the outline revealed, until at last--when the sun had quite
vanished--there stood out against the black wall the shape of a snake of
fire, poised in the very act to strike, just as it was outlined on the
breast of Mighty Hand!
Arnold and Holden were astounded at what they surmised to be some fresh
trick on the part of Thunder-maker, or some special form of the
impending ceremony. And at the same moment a loud cry broke from the
throats of the watching multitude.
"The fiery totem! The fiery totem!"
Then the Indians fell face downwards to the ground with fear.
Surely such a prodigy had never been seen before?
The sacred totem of the tribe had itself appeared, to warn the Dacotahs
that the fire was not to burn that night; that the two prisoners were
men, not evil spirits.
While the two men were standing watching the prostrate Indians, three
figures crept round an adjacent tent--two of whom then darted forward,
while the third followed at more dignified leisure.
"Bob!"
"Alf!"
These were the exclamations that burst from the lips of the captives as
two boys launched themselves forward to receiving arms. Then came the
dignified Skipper Mackintosh.
"You are saved, good sirs," he said, without waiting for an
introduction. "My good phosphorus paint and the brains o' these fine
laddies has called up the fiery totem. I'm thinking that there will be
no sacrifice to superstition the--night, and that you'll a' be on your
way back to Crane Creek the morn."
* * * * *
And when next day the time came for departure, and the fathers and sons
had made their arrangements with the good wishes and help of Mighty
Hand, Swift Arrow, and a host of eager redmen, it was Bob who was first
to notice that Skipper Mackintosh and the half-breed seemed in no haste
to accompany the party.
"Are you not coming with us?" the boy asked.
The Scot smiled and shook his head.
"No. I'm thinking to bide here for a few days, to hunt for yon hawk moth
that I told you aboot. Besides, when you're safe out of the way, I mean
to have a serious talk with Mighty Hand and his folk. I wouldn't have
them think that yon was a real fiery serpent. That would be idolatry. We
had to cheat them to save life, but--well, I'll no' leave the Dacotahs
until I've ceevilised them into believin' that the legend of the fiery
totem is false, and that there's better ways o' living than by believin'
such gowk's nonsense."
THE END
PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY MORRISON AND GIBB LIMITED, EDINBURGH
[Transcriber's Note:
The following corrections and changes were made:
*Passages in italics are indicated by _underscores_.
*Illustrations have been moved closer to the relevant paragraphs.
*In the text version, the footnotes have been moved to the end of the
relevant chapter.
*In the html version, the footnotes have been moved to the end of the
book.
*p. 30: Added missing period to end of "I guess the best thing we can do
is to turn in"
*p. 64: Added missing hyphen to "Thunder maker" in "Thus speaking,
Thunder maker dived a hand"
*p. 218: Added missing period after "returned Holden, with a short
forced laugh"]