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"Yes, I knew he was presumptuous, but I did not know he was so great a fool," replied the old chief scornfully. "My father knows," continued Big Otter, "that when the pale-face chief went and brought Waboose back to Fort Wichikagan, Attick was staying there in his wigwam by the lake. The big chief of the pale-faces, who fears nothing, had forgiven him.
We had to encamp early that evening, because the unwonted and severe exercise to which Waboose's mother had been exposed had rendered her quite unfit to travel further without rest. Attick, who had soon recovered sufficiently to be able to walk, was bound, along with his men, and put under a guard. Then the encampment was made and the fires kindled.
I exclaimed, turning abruptly to Big Otter. "Attick has fled," said the Indian, sternly, "carrying Waboose and her mother along with him." "And you sit here idly talking," I exclaimed, almost fiercely, as I sprang up. Before I could take action of any kind, the young Indian, Mozwa, entered the tent abruptly, and said a few words to Muskrat. At the same moment the councillors rose.
I felt assured that Attick would not dare to halt until he believed himself almost beyond pursuit; and, as the chase therefore bade fair to be a very long one, it seemed wise thus to spare the horses. About noon, however, we passed through a strip of woodland, and, on coming out at the other side, observed a party of horsemen on the distant horizon.
"Waugh!" exclaimed Big Otter, shaking the reins of his steed and going off at racing speed. We soon began to overhaul the cavalcade, and then perceived that they were doing their utmost to get away from us. "It is Attick and his party is it not?" I asked, excitedly. "It is Attick," was the brief reply. Another belt of woodland lay a little to the right on the horizon. The fugitives headed for it.
By bringing Waboose here with us we draw Attick along with us away from the pale-faces, and as long as Waboose is in our camp she is safe. Attick dare not harm her." A gleam of intelligence lit up the swarthy features of the old chief as he said "Waugh!" with much satisfaction. But both he and Big Otter were wrong in their calculations. So far, indeed, the latter was right.
The presence of Waboose in the camp effectually drew Attick after them, and thus removed danger from the inhabitants of Fort Wichikagan, but they were wrong when they thought their camp a place of safety for the poor girl. "Did Muxbee not care when Big Otter carried Waboose away?" asked the old man. "He did not know she was going, and I did not tell her she was not to return.
The first was the sudden disappearance of Waboose and her mother. They had been gone some time, of course, before any one thought of suspecting flight. The moment that suspicion was aroused, however, Big Otter went straight to the wigwam of Attick. It was deserted! He knew well the bad and weak men of the tribe who were led or swayed by Attick.
"Go on as if I 'ad lodgin's in the town. If you don't want me I know one as do. Me and the chemist's boy ain't too big for the attick." "Very well," said Reginald, "you had better go up to bed now, it's late." "Don't you think you're having a lark with me," said the boy; "'tain't eleven, and I ain't done this here Tigerskin yet. There's a lump of reading in it, I can tell you.
Attick went to Waboose, and offered to take her to his wigwam; but the daughter of Weeum the Good turned away from him. Attick is proud, and he is fierce. He told Waboose that he would kill all the pale-faces. Although a fool, he does not boast. Waboose knew that he was in earnest. "Did she tell you so?" asked Muskrat, sharply. "No; but the blue eyes of Waboose tell tales.
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