by Zane Grey
CHAPTER X.
It was near the close of a day in early summer. A small group ofpersons surrounded Col. Zane where he sat on his doorstep. From timeto time he took the long Indian pipe from his mouth and blew greatclouds of smoke over his head. Major McColloch and Capt. Boggs werethere. Silas Zane half reclined on the grass. The Colonel's wifestood in the door-way, and Betty sat on the lower step with her headleaning against her brother's knee. They all had grave faces.Jonathan Zane had returned that day after an absence of three weeks,and was now answering the many questions with which he was plied.
"Don't ask me any more and I'll tell you the whole thing," he hadjust said, while wiping the perspiration from his brow. His face wasworn; his beard ragged and unkempt; his appearance suggestive ofextreme fatigue. "It was this way: Colonel Crawford had four hundredand eighty men under him, with Slover and me acting as guides. Thiswas a large force of men and comprised soldiers from Pitt and theother forts and settlers from all along the river. You see, Crawfordwanted to crush the Shawnees at one blow. When we reached theSandusky River, which we did after an arduous march, not one Indiandid we see. You know Crawford expected to surprise the Shawnee camp,and when he found it deserted he didn't know what to do. Slover andI both advised an immediate retreat. Crawford would not listen tous. I tried to explain to him that ever since the Guadenhuttenmassacre keen-eyed Indian scouts had been watching the border. Thenews of the present expedition had been carried by fleet runners tothe different Indian tribes and they were working like hives ofangry bees. The deserted Shawnee village meant to me that the alarmhad been sounded in the towns of the Shawnees and the Delawares;perhaps also in the Wyandot towns to the north. Colonel Crawford wasobdurate and insisted on resuming the march into the Indian country.The next day we met the Indians coming directly toward us. It wasthe combined force of the Delaware chiefs, Pipe and Wingenund. Thebattle had hardly commenced when the redskins were reinforced byfour hundred warriors under Shanshota, the Huron chief. The enemyskulked behind trees and rocks, hid in ravines, and crawled throughthe long grass. They could be picked off only by Indian hunters, ofwhom Crawford had but few--probably fifty all told. All that day wemanaged to keep our position, though we lost sixty men. That nightwe lay down to rest by great fires which we built, to prevent nightsurprises.
"Early next morning we resumed the fight. I saw Simon Girty on hiswhite horse. He was urging and cheering the Indians on to desperatefighting. Their fire became so deadly that we were forced toretreat. In the afternoon Slover, who had been out scouting,returned with the information that a mounted force was approaching,and that he believed they were the reinforcements which Col.Crawford expected. The reinforcements came up and proved to beButler's British rangers from Detroit. This stunned Crawford'ssoldiers. The fire of the enemy became hotter and hotter. Our menwere falling like leaves around us. They threw aside their riflesand ran, many of them right into the hands of the savages. I believesome of the experienced bordermen escaped but most of Crawford'sforce met death on the field. I hid in a hollow log. Next day when Ifelt that it could be done safely I crawled out. I saw scalped andmutilated bodies everywhere, but did not find Col. Crawford's body.The Indians had taken all the clothing, weapons, blankets andeverything of value. The Wyandots took a northwest trail and theDelawares and the Shawnees traveled east. I followed the latterbecause their trail led toward home. Three days later I stood on thehigh bluff above Wingenund's camp. From there I saw Col. Crawfordtied to a stake and a fire started at his feet. I was not fivehundred yards from the camp. I saw the war chiefs, Pipe andWingenund; I saw Simon Girty and a British officer in uniform. Thechiefs and Girty were once Crawford's friends. They stood calmly byand watched the poor victim slowly burn to death. The Indians yelledand danced round the stake; they devised every kind of hellishtorture. When at last an Indian ran in and tore off the scalp of thestill living man I could bear to see no more, and I turned and ran.I have been in some tough places, but this last was the worst."
"My God! it is awful--and to think that man Girty was once a whiteman," cried Col. Zane.
"He came very near being a dead man," said Jonathan, with grimhumor. "I got a long shot at him and killed his big white horse."
"It's a pity you missed him," said Silas Zane.
"Here comes Wetzel. What will he say about the massacre?" remarkedMajor McColloch.
Wetzel joined the group at that moment and shook hands withJonathan. When interrogated about the failure of Col. Crawford'sexpedition Wetzel said that Slover had just made his appearance atthe cabin of Hugh Bennet, and that he was without clothing andalmost dead from exposure.
"I'm glad Slover got out alive. He was against the march all along.If Crawford had listened to us he would have averted this terribleaffair and saved his own life. Lew, did Slover know how many men gotout?" asked Jonathan.
"He said not many. The redskins killed all the prisoners exceptin'Crawford and Knight."
"I saw Col. Crawford burned at the stake. I did not see Dr. Knight.Maybe they murdered him before I reached the camp of the Delawares,"said Jonathan.
"Wetzel, in your judgment, what effect will this massacre andCrawford's death have on the border?" inquired Col. Zane.
"It means another bloody year like 1777," answered Wetzel.
"We are liable to have trouble with the Indians any day. You meanthat."
"There'll be war all along the river. Hamilton is hatchin' some newdevil's trick with Girty. Col. Zane, I calkilate that Girty has aspy in the river settlements and knows as much about the forts anddefense as you do."
"You can't mean a white spy."
"Yes, just that."
"That is a strong assertion, Lewis, but coming from you it meanssomething. Step aside here and explain yourself," said Col. Zane,getting up and walking out to the fence.
"I don't like the looks of things," said the hunter. "A month ago Iketched this man Miller pokin' his nose round the block-house wherehe hadn't ought to be. And I kep' watchin' him. If my suspicions iscorrect he's playin' some deep game. I ain't got any proof, butthings looks bad."
"That's strange, Lewis," said Col. Zane soberly. "Now that youmention it I remember Jonathan said he met Miller near the Kanawhathree weeks ago. That was when Crawford's expedition was on the wayto the Shawnee villages. The Colonel tried to enlist Miller, butMiller said he was in a hurry to get back to the Fort. And he hasn'tcome back yet."
"I ain't surprised. Now, Col. Zane, you are in command here. I'm nota soldier and for that reason I'm all the better to watch Miller. Hewon't suspect me. You give me authority and I'll round up his littlegame."
"By all means, Lewis. Go about it your own way, and report anythingto me. Remember you may be mistaken and give Miller the benefit ofthe doubt. I don't like the fellow. He has a way of appearing anddisappearing, and for no apparent reason, that makes me distrusthim. But for Heaven's sake, Lew, how would he profit by betrayingus?"
"I don't know. All I know is he'll bear watchin'."
"My gracious, Lew Wetzel!" exclaimed Betty as her brother and thehunter rejoined the others. "Have you come all the way over herewithout a gun? And you have on a new suit of buckskin."
Lewis stood a moment by Betty, gazing down at her with his slightsmile. He looked exceedingly well. His face was not yet bronzed bysummer suns. His long black hair, of which he was as proud as awoman could have been, and of which he took as much care as he didof his rifle, waved over his shoulders.
"Betty, this is my birthday, but that ain't the reason I've got myfine feathers on. I'm goin' to try and make an impression on you,"replied Lewis, smiling.
"I declare, this is very sudden. But you have succeeded. Who madethe suit? And where did you get all that pretty fringe and thosebeautiful beads?"
"That stuff I picked up round an Injun camp. The suit I mademyself."
"I think, Lewis, I must get you to help me make my new gown," saidBetty, roguishly.
"Well, I must be getting' back," said Wetzel, rising.
"Oh, do
n't go yet. You have not talked to me at all," said Bettypetulantly. She walked to the gate with him.
"What can an Injun hunter say to amuse the belle of the border?"
"I don't want to be amused exactly. I mean I'm not used to beingunnoticed, especially by you." And then in a lower tone shecontinued: "What did you mean about Mr. Miller? I heard his name andEb looked worried. What did you tell him?"
"Never mind now, Betty. Maybe I'll tell you some day. It's enoughfor you to know the Colonel don't like Miller and that I think he isa bad man. You don't care nothin' for Miller, do you Betty?"
"Not in the least."
"Don't see him any more, Betty. Good-night, now, I must be goin' tosupper."
"Lew, stop! or I shall run after you."
"And what good would your runnin' do?" said Lewis "You'd never ketchme. Why, I could give you twenty paces start and beat you to yontree."
"You can't. Come, try it," retorted Betty, catching hold of herskirt. She could never have allowed a challenge like that to pass.
"Ha! ha! We are in for a race, Betty. if you beat him, start or nostart, you will have accomplished something never done before," saidCol. Zane.
"Come, Silas, step off twenty paces and make them long ones," saidBetty, who was in earnest.
"We'll make it forty paces," said Silas, as he commenced takingimmense strides.
"What is Lewis looking at?" remarked Col. Zane's wife.
Wetzel, in taking his position for the race, had faced the river.Mrs. Zane had seen him start suddenly, straighten up and for amoment stand like a statue. Her exclamation drew he attention of theothers to the hunter.
"Look!" he cried, waving his hand toward the river.
"I declare, Wetzel, you are always seeing something. Where shall Ilook? Ah, yes, there is a dark form moving along the bank. By jove!I believe it's an Indian," said Col. Zane.
Jonathan darted into the house. When he reappeared second later hehad three rifles.
"I see horses, Lew. What do you make out?" said Jonathan. "It's abold manoeuvre for Indians unless they have a strong force."
"Hostile Injuns wouldn't show themselves like that. Maybe they ain'tredskins at all. We'll go down to the bluff."
"Oh, yes, let us go," cried Betty, walking down the path towardWetzel.
Col. Zane followed her, and presently the whole party were on theirway to the river. When they reached the bluff they saw two horsescome down the opposite bank and enter the water. Then they seemed tofade from view. The tall trees cast a dark shadow over the water andthe horses had become lost in this obscurity. Col. Zane and Jonathanwalked up and down the bank seeking to find a place which afforded aclearer view of the river.
"There they come," shouted Silas.
"Yes, I see them just swimming out of the shadow," said Col. Zane."Both horses have riders. Lewis, what can you make out?"
"It's Isaac and an Indian girl," answered Wetzel.
This startling announcement created a commotion in the little group.It was followed by a chorus of exclamations.
"Heavens! Wetzel, you have wonderful eyes. I hope to God you areright. There, I see the foremost rider waving his hand," cried Col.Zane.
"Oh, Bessie, Bessie! I believe Lew is right. Look at Tige," saidBetty excitedly.
Everybody had forgotten the dog. He had come down the path withBetty and had pressed close to her. First he trembled, then whined,then with a loud bark he ran down the bank and dashed into thewater.
"Hel-lo, Betts," came the cry across the water. There was nomistaking that clear voice. It was Isaac's.
Although the sun had long gone down behind the hills daylightlingered. It was bright enough for the watchers to recognize IsaacZane. He sat high on his horse and in his hand he held the bridle ofa pony that was swimming beside him. The pony bore the slenderfigure of a girl. She was bending forward and her hands were twistedin the pony's mane.
By this time the Colonel and Jonathan were standing in the shallowwater waiting to grasp the reins and lead the horses up the steepbank. Attracted by the unusual sight of a wildly gesticulating groupon the river bluff, the settlers from the Fort hurried down to thescene of action. Capt. Boggs and Alfred Clarke joined the crowd. OldSam came running down from the barn. All were intensely excited andCol. Zane and Jonathan reached for the bridles and led the horses upthe slippery incline.
"Eb, Jack, Silas, here I am alive and well," cried Isaac as heleaped from his horse. "Betty, you darling, it's Isaac. Don't standstaring as if I were a ghost."
Whereupon Betty ran to him, flung her arms around his neck and clungto him. Isaac kissed her tenderly and disengaged himself from herarms.
"You'll get all wet. Glad to see me? Well, I never had such a happymoment in my life. Betty, I have brought you home one whom you mustlove. This is Myeerah, your sister. She is wet and cold. Take herhome and make her warm and comfortable. You must forget all thepast, for Myeerah has saved me from the stake."
Betty had forgotten the other. At her brother's words she turned andsaw a slender form. Even the wet, mud-stained and ragged Indiancostume failed to hide the grace of that figure. She saw a beautifulface, as white as her own, and dark eyes full of unshed tears.
"The Eagle is free," said the Indian girl in her low, musical voice.
"You have brought him home to us. Come," said Betty taking the handof the trembling maiden.
The settlers crowded round Isaac and greeted him warmly while theyplied him with innumerable questions. Was he free? Who was theIndian girl? Had he run off with her? Were the Indians preparing forwar?
On the way to the Colonel's house Isaac told briefly of his escapefrom the Wyandots, of his capture by Cornplanter, and of his rescue.He also mentioned the preparations for war he had seen inCornplanter's camp, and Girty's story of Col. Crawford's death.
"How does it come that you have the Indian girl with you?" askedCol. Zane as they left the curious settlers and entered the house.
"I am going to marry Myeerah and I brought her with me for thatpurpose. When we are married I will go back to the Wyandots and livewith them until peace is declared."
"Humph! Will it be declared?"
"Myeerah has promised it, and I believe she can bring it about,especially if I marry her. Peace with the Hurons may help to bringabout peace with the Shawnees. I shall never cease to work for thatend; but even if peace cannot be secured, my duty still is toMyeerah. She saved me from a most horrible death."
"If your marriage with this Indian girl will secure the friendlyoffices of that grim old warrior Tarhe, it is far more than fightingwill ever do. I do not want you to go back. Would we ever see youagain?"
"Oh, yes, often I hope. You see, if I marry Myeerah the Hurons willallow me every liberty."
"Well, that puts a different light on the subject."
"Oh, how I wish you and Jonathan could have seen Thundercloud andhis two hundred warriors ride into Cornplanter's camp. It wasmagnificent! The braves were all crowded near the stake where I wasbound. The fire had been lighted. Suddenly the silence was shatteredby an awful yell. It was Thundercloud's yell. I knew it because Ihad heard it before, and anyone who had once heard that yell couldnever forget it. In what seemed an incredibly short timeThundercloud's warriors were lined up in the middle of the camp. Thesurprise was so complete that, had it been necessary, they couldhave ridden Cornplanter's braves down, killed many, routed theothers, and burned the village. Cornplanter will not get over thatsurprise in many a moon."
Betty had always hated the very mention of the Indian girl who hadbeen the cause of her brother's long absence from home. But she wasso happy in the knowledge of his return that she felt that it was inher power to forgive much; more over, the white, weary face of theIndian maiden touched Betty's warm heart. With her quick intuitionshe had divined that this was even a greater trial for Myeerah.Undoubtedly the Indian girl feared the scorn of her lover's people.She showed it in her trembling hands, in her fearful glances.
Finding that Myeerah could speak and
understand English, Bettybecame more interested in her charge every moment. She set about tomake Myeerah comfortable, and while she removed the wet and stainedgarments she talked all the time. She told her how happy she wasthat Isaac was alive and well. She said Myeerah's heroism in savinghim should atone for all the past, and that Isaac's family wouldwelcome her in his home.
Gradually Myeerah's agitation subsided under Betty's sweetgraciousness, and by the time Betty had dressed her in a white gown,had brushed the dark hair and added a bright ribbon to the simpletoilet, Myeerah had so far forgotten her fears as to take a shypleasure in the picture of herself in the mirror. As for Betty, shegave vent to a little cry of delight. "Oh, you are perfectlylovely," cried Betty. "In that gown no one would know you as aWyandot princess."
"Myeerah's mother was a white woman."
"I have heard your story, Myeerah, and it is wonderful. You musttell me all about your life with the Indians. You speak my languagealmost as well as I do. Who taught you?"
"Myeerah learned to talk with the White Eagle. She can speak Frenchwith the Coureurs-des-bois."
"That's more than I can do, Myeerah. And I had French teacher," saidBetty, laughing.
"Hello, up there," came Isaac's voice from below.
"Come up, Isaac," called Betty.
"Is this my Indian sweetheart?" exclaimed Isaac, stopping at thedoor. "Betty, isn't she--"
"Yes," answered Betty, "she is simply beautiful."
"Come, Myeerah, we must go down to supper," said Isaac, taking herin his arms and kissing her. "Now you must not be afraid, nor mindbeing looked at."
"Everyone will be kind to you," said Betty, taking her hand. Myeerahhad slipped from Isaac's arm and hesitated and hung back. "Come,"continued Betty, "I will stay with you, and you need not talk if youdo not wish."
Thus reassured Myeerah allowed Betty to lead her down stairs. Isaachad gone ahead and was waiting at the door.
The big room was brilliantly lighted with pine knots. Mrs. Zane wasarranging the dishes on the table. Old Sam and Annie were hurryingto and fro from the kitchen. Col. Zane had just come up the cellarstairs carrying a mouldy looking cask. From its appearance it mighthave been a powder keg, but the merry twinkle in the Colonel's eyesshowed that the cask contained something as precious, perhaps, aspowder, but not quite so dangerous. It was a cask of wine overthirty years old. With Col. Zane's other effects it had stood thetest of the long wagon-train journey over the Virginia mountains,and of the raft-ride down the Ohio. Col. Zane thought the feast hehad arranged for Isaac would be a fitting occasion for the breakingof the cask.
Major McCullough, Capt. Boggs and Hugh Bennet had been invited.Wetzel had been persuaded to come. Betty's friends Lydia and Alicewere there.
As Isaac, with an air of pride, led the two girls into the room OldSam saw them and he exclaimed, "For de Lawd's sakes, Marsh Zane,dar's two pippins, sure can't tell 'em from one anudder."
Betty and Myeerah did resemble each other. They were of about thesame size, tall and slender. Betty was rosy, bright-eyed andsmiling; Myeerah was pale one moment and red the next.
"Friends, this is Myeerah, the daughter of Tarhe," said Isaacsimply. "We are to be married to-morrow."
"Oh, why did you not tell me?" asked Betty in great surprise. "Shesaid nothing about it."
"You see Myeerah has that most excellent trait in a woman--knowingwhen to keep silent," answered Isaac with a smile.
The door opened at this moment, admitting Will Martin and AlfredClarke.
"Everybody is here now, Bessie, and I guess we may as well sit downto supper," said Col. Zane. "And, good friends, let me say that thisis an occasion for rejoicing. It is not so much a marriage that Imean. That we might have any day if Lydia or Betty would show someof the alacrity which got a good husband for Alice. Isaac is a freeman and we expect his marriage will bring about peace with apowerful tribe of Indians. To us, and particularly to you, youngpeople, that is a matter of great importance. The friendship of theHurons cannot but exert an influence on other tribes. I, myself, maylive to see the day that my dream shall be realized--peaceful andfriendly relations with the Indians, the freedom of the soil,well-tilled farms and growing settlements, and at last, the openingof this glorious country to the world. Therefore, let us rejoice;let every one be happy; let your gayest laugh ring out, and tellyour best story."
Betty had blushed painfully at the entrance of Alfred and again atthe Colonel's remark. To add to her embarrassment she found herselfseated opposite Alfred at the table. This was the first time he hadbeen near her since the Sunday at the meeting-house, and theincident had a singular effect on Betty. She found herselfpossessed, all at once, of an unaccountable shyness, and she couldnot lift her eyes from her plate. But at length she managed to steala glance at Alfred. She failed to see any signs in his beaming faceof the broken spirit of which her brother had hinted. He looked verywell indeed. He was eating his dinner like any other healthy man,and talking and laughing with Lydia. This developed anotherunaccountable feeling in Betty, but this time it was resentment. Whoever heard of a man, who was as much in love as his letter said,looking well and enjoying himself with any other than the object ofhis affections? He had got over it, that was all. Just then Alfredturned and gazed full into Betty's eyes. She lowered them instantly,but not so quickly that she failed to see in his a reproach.
"You are going to stay with us a while, are you not?" asked Betty ofIsaac.
"No, Betts, not more than a day or so. Now, do not look sodistressed. I do not go back as a prisoner. Myeerah and I can oftencome and visit you. But just now I want to get back and try toprevent the Delawares from urging Tarhe to war."
"Isaac, I believe you are doing the wisest thing possible," saidCapt. Boggs. "And when I look at your bride-to-be I confess I do notsee how you remained single so long."
"That's so, Captain," answered Isaac. "But you see, I have neverbeen satisfied or contented in captivity, I wanted nothing but to befree."
"In other words, you were blind," remarked Alfred, smiling at Isaac.
"Yes, Alfred, was. And I imagine had you been in my place you wouldhave discovered the beauty and virtue of my Princess long before Idid. Nevertheless, please do not favor Myeerah with so many admiringglances. She is not used to it. And that reminds me that I mustexpect trouble tomorrow. All you fellows will want to kiss her."
"And Betty is going to be maid of honor. She, too, will have hertroubles," remarked Col. Zane.
"Think of that, Alfred," said Isaac "A chance to kiss the twoprettiest girls on the border--a chance of a lifetime."
"It is customary, is it not?" said Alfred coolly.
"Yes, it's a custom, if you can catch the girl," answered Col. Zane.
Betty's face flushed at Alfred's cool assumption. How dared he? Inspite of her will she could not resist the power that compelled herto look at him. As plainly as if it were written there, she saw inhis steady blue eyes the light of a memory--the memory of a kiss.And Betty dropped her head, her face burning, her heart on fire withshame, and love, and regret.
"It'll be a good chance for me, too," said Wetzel. His remarkinstantly turned attention to himself.
"The idea is absurd," said Isaac. "Why, Lew Wetzel, you could not bemade to kiss any girl."
"I would not be backward about it," said Col. Zane.
"You have forgotten the fuss you made when the boys were kissingme," said Mrs. Zane with a fine scorn.
"My dear," said Col. Zane, in an aggrieved tone, "I did not make somuch of a fuss, as you call it, until they had kissed you a greatmany times more than was reasonable."
"Isaac, tell us one thing more," said Capt. Boggs. "How did Myeerahlearn of your capture by Cornplanter? Surely she could not havetrailed you?"
"Will you tell us?" said Isaac to Myeerah.
"A bird sang it to me," answered Myeerah.
"She will never tell, that is certain," said Isaac. "And for thatreason I believe Simon Girty got word to her that I was in the handsof Cornplanter. A
t the last moment when the Indians were lashing meto the stake Girty came to me and said he must have been too late."
"Yes, Girty might have done that," said Col. Zane. "I suppose,though he dared not interfere in behalf of poor Crawford."
"Isaac, Can you get Myeerah to talk? I love to hear her speak," saidBetty, in an aside.
"Myeerah, will you sing a Huron love-song?" said Isaac "Or, if youdo not wish to sing, tell a story. I want them to know how well youcan speak our language."
"What shall Myeerah say?" she said, shyly.
"Tell them the legend of the Standing Stone."
"A beautiful Indian girl once dwelt in the pine forests," beganMyeerah, with her eyes cast down and her hand seeking Isaac's. "Hervoice was like rippling waters, her beauty like the rising sun. Fromnear and from far came warriors to see the fair face of this maiden.She smiled on them all and they called her Smiling Moon. Now therelived on the Great Lake a Wyandot chief. He was young and bold. Nowarrior was as great as Tarhe. Smiling Moon cast a spell on hisheart. He came many times to woo her and make her his wife. ButSmiling Moon said: 'Go, do great deeds, an come again.'
"Tarhe searched the east and the west. He brought her strange giftsfrom strange lands. She said: 'Go and slay my enemies.' Tarhe wentforth in his war paint and killed the braves who named her SmilingMoon. He came again to her and she said: 'Run swifter than the deer,be more cunning than the beaver, dive deeper than the loon.'
"Tarhe passed once more to the island where dwelt Smiling Moon. Theice was thick, the snow was deep. Smiling Moon turned not from herwarm fire as she said: 'The chief is a great warrior, but SmilingMoon is not easily won. It is cold. Change winter into summer andthen Smiling Moon will love him.'
"Tarhe cried in a loud voice to the Great Spirit: 'Make me amaster.'
"A voice out of the forest answered: 'Tarhe, great warrior, wisechief, waste not thy time, go back to thy wigwam.'
"Tarhe unheeding cried 'Tarhe wins or dies. Make him a master sothat he may drive the ice northward.'
"Stormed the wild tempest; thundered the rivers of ice; chill blewthe north wind, the cold northwest wind, against the mild southwind; snow-spirits and hail-spirits fled before the warm raindrops;the white mountains melted, and lo! it was summer.
"On the mountain top Tarhe waited for his bride. Never wearying,ever faithful he watched many years. There he turned to stone. Therehe stands to-day, the Standing Stone of ages. And Smiling Moon,changed by the Great Spirit into the Night Wind, forever wails herlament at dusk through the forest trees, and moans over the mountaintops."
Myeerah's story elicited cheers and praises from all. She wasentreated to tell another, but smilingly shook her head. Now thather shyness had worn off to some extent she took great interest inthe jest and the general conversation.
Col. Zane's fine old wine flowed like water. The custom was to filla guest's cup as soon as it was empty. Drinking much was ratherencouraged than otherwise. But Col. Zane never allowed this customto go too far in his house.
"Friends, the hour grows late," he said. "To-morrow, after the greatevent, we shall have games, shooting matches, running races, andcontests of all kinds. Capt. Boggs and I have arranged to giveprizes, and I expect the girls can give something to lend a zest tothe competition."
"Will the girls have a chance in these races?" asked Isaac. "If so,I should like to see Betty and Myeerah run."
"Betty can outrun any woman, red or white, on the border," saidWetzel. "And she could make some of the men run their level best."
"Well, perhaps we shall give her one opportunity to-morrow,"observed the Colonel. "She used to be good at running but it seemsto me that of late she has taken to books and--"
"Oh, Eb! that is untrue," interrupted Betty.
Col. Zane laughed and patted his sister's cheek. "Never mind,Betty," and then, rising, he continued, "Now let us drink to thebride and groom-to-be. Capt. Boggs, I call on you."
"We drink to the bride's fair beauty; we drink to the groom's goodluck," said Capt. Boggs, raising his cup.
"Do not forget the maid-of-honor," said Isaac.
"Yes, and the maid-of-honor. Mr. Clarke, will you say somethingappropriate?" asked Col. Zane.
Rising, Clarke said: "I would be glad to speak fittingly on thisoccasion, but I do not think I can do it justice. I believe as Col.Zane does, that this Indian Princess is the first link in that chainof peace which will some day unite the red men and the white men.Instead of the White Crane she should be called the White Dove.Gentlemen, rise and drink to her long life and happiness."
The toast was drunk. Then Clarke refilled his cup and holding ithigh over his head he looked at Betty.
"Gentlemen, to the maid-of-honor. Miss Zane, your health, yourhappiness, in this good old wine."
"I thank you," murmured Betty with downcast eyes. "I bid you allgood-night. Come, Myeerah."
Once more alone with Betty, the Indian girl turned to her with eyeslike twin stars.
"My sister has made me very happy," whispered Myeerah in her soft,low voice. "Myeerah's heart is full."
"I believe you are happy, for I know you love Isaac dearly."
"Myeerah has always loved him. She will love his sister."
"And I will love you," said Betty. "I will love you because you havesaved him. Ah! Myeerah, yours has been wonderful, wonderful love."
"My sister is loved," whispered Myeerah. "Myeerah saw the look inthe eyes of the great hunter. It was the sad light of the moon onthe water. He loves you. And the other looked at my sister with eyeslike the blue of northern skies. He, too, loves you."
"Hush!" whispered Betty, trembling and hiding her face. "Hush!Myeerah, do not speak of him."
