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After Mul-tal-la had made known the sad fate of his companion in the East, an earnest talk took place and the decision was made that it would not only be imprudent but dangerous to the last degree for the Blackfoot to return home, taking with him the first announcement of the deplorable accident that had robbed the tribe of one of its best warriors.
Instead of being a comparatively narrow passage, however, like that traversed by Mul-tal-la and George and Victor Shelton when they thought they were embroiled with the Shoshones, it was two or three miles wide, and even wider in some places.
Taggarak would have time for the cooling of his resentful rage, and it was to be hoped that he would appreciate the service of Mul-tal-la, who, young as he was, had proved himself one of the bravest of warriors. The plan was a wise one and it worked well. The two messengers had a story of absorbing interest to tell.
Then Mul-tal-la bade them good-bye, promising to call in a short time, after which he lounged away toward his own lodge. On the road he continually encountered his old friends and exchanged greetings and talked with them as if glad of an excuse for delaying his reunion with his parents.
Deerfoot asked only a few more questions, when he bade the Blackfeet good-bye and set out to hunt the village of the war chief Taggarak, where, if all had gone well, he would meet Mul-tal-la and the brothers, George and Victor Shelton.
Taggarak is brave but cruel. He will not rest under his overthrow. Deerfoot thinks they will have to fight again." "And will Deerfoot spare him once more?" "He cannot answer. He will do as God tells him to do." Victor Shelton felt that this was a good time for him to add to the discussion. "Mul-tal-la, do you think it is possible Taggarak wants to fight Deerfoot, after he has been beaten by him?
The second sphere was compressed and modeled with the same pains and placed beside the first. "That's for you, Mr. Mul-tal-la, and you're going to get it good! As for you, Mr. Deerfoot, you shall have a double dose." Crooking his left arm at the elbow, Victor laid three of the nicely molded snowballs in the hollow, which served as a quiver serves for arrows.
It must be admitted that when Victor tried his hand he showed himself a promising student of diplomacy. George thought it well to add his answer: "Hunters told us of the great land that lay toward the setting sun, and we longed to look upon it, as Mul-tal-la and his friend longed to look upon the country where we make our home." "When do my sons go back to their dwelling place?"
"My brother has not yet shown what his words have to do with Deerfoot and Taggarak." "Let my brother have patience and he shall know. Deerfoot remembers the rock from whose top he first caught sight of Mul-tal-la, whose brother was coming to this village, riding on Whirlwind?" As he spoke the Blackfoot pointed to the east. Deerfoot nodded.
"What was the meaning of that?" asked the Shawanoe. "Is he displeased with the defeat of his young men?" "It is the other way; he is glad their conceit has been checked. The Blackfeet are great boasters, and he has reproved them many times. Mul-tal-la saw him smile when Deerfoot came home many paces in front of that tall warrior, who is the greatest boaster of them all.
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