CHAPTER XXIX
A DESPERATE SITUATION
THE surprise of Jasper Williams was overwhelming when he learned thatthese two lads had braved the dangers of the wilderness, week in andweek out, just to find him, so as to get his signature to a documentwhich Dick carried, safely sewed inside the lining of his huntingjacket.
"Of course I'll be only too glad to put my name on it, if only we canget out of this bad scrape," the scout declared, after he had heard thestory, and shaken the hands of Dick and Roger Armstrong many times."I know Francois Lascelles only too well, and it would give me greatpleasure to balk his little game; but just now, my brave lads, it looksas if we'd furnish sport for the heathen at the torture post beforemany days go by; they're feeling so angry at the whites for coming uphere into their country without first making all manner of presents tothem."
At that Roger remembered to tell the scout what a slender hope he andhis cousin were hugging to their hearts. Jasper Williams considered itwell, but did not seem too sanguine.
"Something might come out of it," he observed; "but I know Injun naturetoo well to think the chief will spare us for that reason alone. If thecrowd wants to be amused, we'll be made to run the gauntlet to-morrowat sunrise; and afterwards be burned at the stake, like as not. It'ssomething I always thought would happen to me. A borderer who has runup against Injuns as much as I have must look forward to the time he'llbe caught napping, as I was, and pay the penalty with his life. But I'msorry 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 weepfor 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 alot of the braves sitting down, cross-legged, around it. Do you thinkthey're going to hold a palaver, or council, to settle what's to bedone with us, Mr. Williams?"
"It looks that way, son," replied the scout, with a touch of pity inhis rough voice; "but I can tell better after I have taken a lookmyself."
Both he and Dick had little trouble in finding crevices through whichit was possible to observe all that was going on. The fire around whichthe Indians had commenced to gather was not so far removed from thestrong lodge but the listening prisoners could hear all that took place.
Only the warriors or fighting men were allowed places in the severalcircles that presently surrounded the leaping flames. The boys andsquaws had to stand back, and take no part in the proceedings.
Running Elk was there in plain view, as was also the medicine-man ofthe tribe, the latter decked out in his awe-inspiring decorations, thatgave out a jingling sound every time he moved so much as an arm. As themedicine-man is usually the power behind the throne in every Indianvillage, he can generally be found at the right hand of the leader orchief, as an adviser. His favor is eagerly sought by braves and squaws,for it is popularly supposed that when angered he can bring down thewrath of Manitou upon the offender.
All this while there sounded the monotonous beating of tomtoms, ordrums made of skins drawn tightly over hollow sections of the trunk ofa tree. It was a weird sound, and particularly to those who, crouchingbehind the logs of the strong lodge, were looking upon the strikingpicture of these same Indians deciding what their fate should be.
For once Roger found no heart for talking, and it must be somethingbeyond the ordinary that could quench his desire to express hisfeelings in words. Each of them merely sat there, looking at thestrange scene. It was terrible, and at the same time not one of themcould tear his eyes away from it, such was the fascination it possessed.
When all of the braves had assembled, the chief made a signal withhis hand, at which the sound of the beating tomtoms stopped short.Then a red clay pipe was produced, and, upon being lighted by themedicine-man, was first passed to the chief, who sent out a puff ofsmoke toward each of the four points of the compass. Then the pipe waspassed to the next in line, and so on, until, after a long time, everyone 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 animpassioned 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 theIndian tongues. Roger shut his teeth hard together, and repressed thegroan that almost escaped him.
Another and yet another warrior followed the first. Some spoke moresoberly, and these were the elder ones; perhaps they were counsellingthat it might be well to keep the whites prisoners, and demand certainfavors of the invaders as a recompense for sparing their lives. Butthe fiery younger element seemed to be vastly in the majority, as Dickrealized when a dozen had expressed their views.
What the thoughts of the two boys were would be hard to say. Doubtlesstheir minds turned backward to the happy homes, far away on the bank ofthe Missouri near its junction with the greater Mississippi; and theycould picture those they loved so dearly, waiting as the weeks wentby for some tidings of the brave sons and brothers who had taken uponthemselves the dangerous task of finding the one man who could save thehomesteads from the scheming French trader.
"It's all over!" exclaimed Roger, with a gulp; and the next moment adin arose that must indeed indicate that the council had been declaredended.
"What did they decide, Mr. Williams?" asked Dick, trying his best tokeep his voice from betraying the fact that he was trembling all overwith excitement.
The scout groped in the darkness until he could put a hand on theshoulder of each boy. He had bad news to communicate, and in his simpleway wished to give them what little encouragement the touch of his handmight 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 thisconvinced him that much of Roger's nervousness was on the surface, andthat, when it came to a pinch, he could show just as strong a front asthe next one.
"But the council has not been dismissed yet, for the braves are stillsitting there as we saw them," Dick observed at this juncture.
"Unless I am much mistaken," Jasper Williams went on, "they are sendingguards to fetch us out. It was not fitting that we should be presentwhen they were deciding our fate; but, now that a judgment has beenrendered, we may be led forth to hear sentence pronounced by the greatchief. My lads, you know what the red heathen think of any one whoshows the white feather. Be brave now, I beg of you, for the honor ofthe white race. Show them that paleface boys can stand pain just aswell 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 beenconfined in some other prison, perhaps bound hand and foot, since hisfate did not have to be debated. He was doomed from the first, being ahated Mandan.
So they were led forth. Roger, determined to prove that he was a sonof his father, shut his teeth hard together, and made up his mindthat nothing these savage Sioux could do would make him cry out. Dickmanaged to lock his arm in that of his cousin, knowing that even suchcontact would give the other heart.
Escape was impossible. All they could do was to meet their fatebravely. And if Roger remembered what his cousin had said about itbeing the darkest just before dawn, he must have smiled bitterly as hecontemplated the utter impossibility of anything happening to save them.
And yet, the bread which they had cast upon the waters so long ago wasdue to return to them, here, now, in this most important crisis oftheir lives.
They were hustled through the crowd of squaws and boys that hadgathered 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. Asquaw darted forward, threw on
e of the guards aside, and, seizing holdof Roger, looked eagerly in his face, after which she appeared greatlyexcited.
And Dick felt his heart give a great bound, as hope once more tookpossession there; for he had recognized the face of this old squaw. Itwas 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!
The Pioneer Boys of the Missouri; or, In the Country of the Sioux Page 32
