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Thus it was that Digatiski, the Hawk, of Eupharsee Town, long the terror of the southern provinces, must needs sit idle, forlorn, frenzied with rage and grief, in a remote and lofty cavity of a great cliff, and looking out over range and valley and river of this wild and beautiful country, see fire and sword work their mission of destruction upon it.
"He would be if I could get close enough with a bare pinch of powder that might charge my gun!" declared Attusah disconsolately. Then himself again, "But I will tell you this! He is waiting for my poisoned arrow! And when he dies he will come back no more. He is not like me." He paused to throw out his hand with his splendid pompous gesture. "Akee-o-hoo-sa! Tsida-wei-yu!" Digatiski groaned.
It is impossible to understand how a man like Digatiski of Eupharsee could believe this, so sage, despite his ignorance, so crafty, so diplomatic and acute in subterfuge, yet he was sodden in superstition. "Can you see Colonel Grant, the Barbarous?" he asked suddenly, lifting his head and gazing steadily at the young Indian's face, which was outlined against the pallid neutral tint of the sky.
Attusah gazed at the sombre night with an expression as definitely perceptive as if the figure in his thoughts were actually before his eyes. "And he is not dead?" cried Digatiski, in despair. Some such wild rumor, as of hope gone mad, had pervaded the groups of Cherokee fugitives.
The Indian woman doubted if the bit of fat could be spared; then poising it in her hand under the watchful eyes of all, she flung it into the fire, the essential burnt-offering according to their old religious custom. Digatiski, bowing his head still lower, once more groaned aloud. He would not have stayed her hand, but to hunger even for the offering to the fire!
He saw that two men, fully armed, for Digatiski had secured ammunition for his own gun from the cartouch-box of the soldier, could force his withdrawal, bound as he was, farther and farther from the ensign and his party, whose attention had been temporarily diverted from the scout's delay in returning by signs of the enemy ambushed in another direction.
The woman whose head was muffled had only to repeat her sobs anew; she could not sorrow more! But the pappoose in its primitive cradle on the wall babbled out its simple pleasure, and now and again the tearful little mother must needs lift smiling eyes. The great ada-wehi looked out at the night. On the whole he was glad he was dead! He took no bite, nor did Digatiski.
Indeed, the other two Indians presently manifested a disposition to avoid him. After much wrangling and obvious discontent and smouldering suspicion, one lagged systematically, and, the pace being speedy, contrived to fairly quit the party. Digatiski accompanied them two more days, then, openly avowing his intent, fell away from the line of march.
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