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Landing near the old chief's hut, they drew up their canoe and Nazinred and Mozwa went to announce their arrival. It was contrary to Indian etiquette to betray excitement, or to ask hasty questions. They saluted the old man, handed him a plug of tobacco, and sat down to smoke, and it was not till some time had elapsed that Nazinred calmly asked if Isquay was well.
"They have fixed to kill him, mother," she exclaimed, anxiously, on entering. "I expected that, and I'm sorry," returned Isquay, "but we cannot help it. What can women do? The men will not mind what I say. If only Nazinred was here they would listen to him, but "
"So I am, girl, so I am, but what can I do?" "You can go and tell the story to the old chief. He is not hard, like some of the young men. Perhaps he may help us." Isquay shook her head, but nevertheless agreed to try her influence with the old man, and went out for that purpose.
Don't you remember that one, mother, that we met when we went last spring with some of our men to shoot at the Greygoose River? He was a fine man big and strong, and active and kind almost good enough to be a Dogrib." "I remember him well," returned Isquay, "for he saved my life. Have you forgotten that already?" "No, I have not forgotten it," answered the girl, with a slight smile.
"Unless," said Isquay, "he comes back this spring with his people, and our braves have a fight with them then you would be likely to see his scalp again, if not himself." Adolay made no reply to this; neither did she seem shocked at the suggestion. Indeed, Indian women are too much accustomed to real shocking to be much troubled with shocks of the imagination.
Poor Isquay might have been good-looking in her youth, but, alas! hard work, occasional starvation, and a rough life, had prematurely dissipated her beauty, whatever it might have been; yet these conditions could not put to flight the lines and dimples of kindliness which played about her weatherworn eyes and cheeks.
Isquay, Idazoo, and some of the other women were furnished with moose-deer skins and needles, and employed to make moccasins for the men, as well as to do all the needful repairs to garments.
"I think it is," returned Isquay, gazing steadily at the Eskimo, who looked at the crowd which surrounded him with a gaze of supreme contempt, though he did not by any means feel contemptuous. "Come, mother," said Adolay, with sudden earnestness, "he has not recognised us in the crowd. I must go and find out what the braves are palavering."
Her name was Adolay that being the Indian name for Summer. The other squaw was her mother. She was usually styled Isquay which means woman by her husband when he was at home, but, being a great hunter, he was not often at home.
There is reason to believe that he rather liked the earnest attention with which all his movements were closely and openly scrutinised; at all events he proceeded with his meal as calmly as if he had been alone, and in his own wigwam with none but the faithful Isquay and amiable Adolay to observe him.
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