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Kakaik, after remaining a day with us, took his departure, loaded with as many articles as he could well carry; some forced on him by Mike and Quambo, others being given by my uncle and myself as presents to our friends. I should have said that Kakaik also told us that Manilick was frequently at Kepenau's camp, and appeared to be favourably received by Ashatea.
Our friend Manilick will supply us with horses, and we shall reach the settlement before nightfall. They are all safe there long ago, for I came upon their trail; and they were strong enough to beat off any of the Redskins who may have attempted to interfere with them."
Kepenau and Manilick, having become civilised themselves, laboured incessantly in the civilisation of their people aided by our revered friend, Martin Godfrey, who eventually settled down among them.
"You have come just in time to save us from roasting!" exclaimed the old trapper, recognising Manilick, but not seeing me. "We caught sight of the Apaches bearing down upon us, and had just time to take shelter in the hut and barricade the doors and windows, before they readied it. They carried off our good steeds, but we have secured our packs and arms."
At last we had to stop from sheer want of breath, and on entering the hut Kakaik informed us that it was through the exertions of Manilick that the fiddle had been recovered. He had paid half-a-dozen yards of cotton, the same number of strings of beads, a looking-glass, and a frying-pan, for the treasure. It had been regarded with reverential awe by the possessors.
Indeed, when you appeared through the rice grass I fancied that you were Manilick, and that you might have come to carry us all off together; not that I believe he would venture to injure any white people, since he professes to be our friend." I was much interested in what Lily told me, for I fancied that Reuben had lost his heart to the Indian girl.
A young Indian, who is said to be superior to most of his people, has long wished to marry her; but as she is a Christian and he is still a heathen, though I believe she likes him very much, neither she nor her father will consent. This has produced a feud between them; and the conduct of Manilick for that is his name, which, I believe, means a `pine-tree' has caused them a great deal of anxiety.
It was at the foot of these hills that the new settlement was, I understood, to be formed. While our main body advanced slowly for the sake of the women and children, Manilick, with a chosen band of warriors, rode rapidly forward.
We encamped that night in a wood near a stream, which we reached just before dark. The same precautions were taken against surprise which our small band had considered necessary; for, Manilick told me, should the Apaches discover his trail, they would be certain to attack him.
We waited among the trees on the upper portion of the slope, to give time to our main body to appear just before we should reach the enemy who, finding themselves menaced by superior numbers, would in all probability take to flight. At the proper moment Manilick shouted "Forward!" and we rapidly descended the hill.
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