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Now, tell me truly, are we on the hunting-grounds of the Snakes, and are you one of that tribe?" "Mahnewe has said it, and cannot lie," returned the woman earnestly, and with great dignity of manner. "If this is true, we are saved," said the trapper. "I have friends among that people, and know my way home from their hunting-grounds."
Perhaps by that time your love fit will be over, and you will not want her. There is Mahnewe, why don't you make love to her?" "The eagle mates not with the owl, nor the Arapahoe with the Snake," retorted the savage angrily. "Oh! well, just as you like; yet I think she is rather pretty.
"The squaw will not tell," said the chief, tauntingly. "She knows they are the enemies of the Arapahoes. The Snake fears the Eagle." "Mahnewe is the daughter of a chief, and the wife of a chief. She is not a coward; red blood is in her veins. She is a Snake, and fears not the Arapahoe!" "Come, this will never answer, chief! Leave Mahnewe to me.
"Let Mahnewe go to her people, she fears not of finding strangers in their place," said she, in pleasing tones. "A good idea, uncle, let her go and ascertain positively; but keep the child to prevent treachery," suggested Sidney. "Mahnewe goes not without her child, if all our lives should depend on her going!" said the squaw, decidedly.
We shall find out in the course of to-morrow at furthest if these are the Snakes, and if they are you can join them when we are assured no harm can result to us from it." Mahnewe turned her dark, liquid eyes imploringly to Howe as if to gain his voice in her favor, but they were evidently all against it, and he did not like to take the responsibility.
Let the squaw conduct the dogs to our camp; Whirlwind knows how to die," returned the chief. "They shall not hurt you while we live," said Edward. "Those who are our friends must not offer harm to you, unless they want us their enemies." "Do not go, Mahnewe," said Jane. "Some harm might result from it for which we should all repent.
They enjoyed the sport, as it not only placed Mahnewe at ease, but they gained a perfect knowledge of the surrounding country, which was of much importance to them, as well as kept their larder supplied with abundance of game.
"But consider, Mahnewe, if they should not prove to be your people the child would only hinder your retreat, and if they should be, you can return and claim it in safety," said Howe. "If my brother listens to the forked tongue of the Snake's squaw, she will guide the warriors of her people to our retreat, where we shall all be slaughtered," said the chief.
The chief soon despatched him, and then they turned to Sidney and Edward. Already were they reviving, not having received any serious wounds. The copious gourds of water that Jane had sprinkled over them were all the care they needed. They now bethought themselves of Mahnewe. She was gone; not a vestige or clue remaining of her or the child.
"Indians yonder!" said he, briefly, pointing towards the cliff on the opposite side of the stream. "Have you seen and do you know them?" asked the trapper, adding, "Perhaps we are nearer home, and they belong to some friendly tribes?" "Does she?" asked the chief, turning with a scornful gesture towards Mahnewe.
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