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Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock was too thoroughly loyal for her to be suspected of any disposition to aid the prisoner in escape; and whatever might be the wishes of Hans Vanderbum, he was too stupid and lazy to be taken into account.
As there was not the least probability of Hans Vanderbum being astir for several hours yet, they proceeded at a moderate walk through the wood. One of the peculiar effects of this chilly morning air was to keep Lieutenant Canfield constantly gaping; his movements were so languid and his mind listless even to antipathy for conversation. He maintained his place in silence beside Oonomoo.
As the line of the pieces of bark pointed directly toward these, there was but little doubt that here they were launched upon the water. "It can't be dat Quanonshet and Madokawandock is dere," mused Hans Vanderbum, "for to try to worry deir poor old fader. Dey're too big Dutchmen to build such boats, and dey wouldn't know how to make 'em float under me if dey did.
"Oh, no; there were several servants, and I saw them tomahawked, and heard their piercing cries." The captive covered her face, and her frame shook like an aspen at the remembrance of the dreadful scenes through which she had so recently passed. It was several minutes before she recovered her self-command. When she did, Hans Vanderbum proceeded with his questions. "Dey burnt de place, I shpose?"
From these rather disconnected expressions, Hans Vanderbum understood that a war-party of Shawnees had brought in a prisoner who was a friend of the Huron's. It was for the purpose of learning something regarding her that he had signaled the fisherman to leave his hook and line and come to him.
He could scarce believe it until Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock told him that she was to be strictly guarded, used as her slave and never to be out of her sight for one minute. In case of her escape, Hans Vanderbum was to be held responsible for it, his life paying the forfeit. "Dat is quare," he muttered. "I guess Oonomoo can fix it, if dey does do it."
"See who?" asked Hans Vanderbum, in turn, completely at a loss to understand him. "De gal." "De gal? Who you talking about Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock?" "De gal Shawnees got in de village."
While our two friends are thus preparing themselves for the perilous duty before them, we will return to our old acquaintance, Hans Vanderbum, and his fair charge, in whom the reader, doubtless, feels a lively interest. It will be remembered that Miss Prescott was consigned to the care of the amiable Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock, wife of Hans Vanderbum. The reasons for this were several.
From his long residence among the Shawnees and his family connection with them, Hans Vanderbum was not suspected of disaffection. Indeed, it could not properly be said that he felt thus toward them. He would not willingly do anything to injure them any more than he would have fought against his own race.
Patting her on the head, he said, gently: "Don't feel bad, my darling; I ish shorry for you, but I wants to ax you anoder question." "What is it?" queried the maid, with a wondering look. "Will you answer it?" asked Hans Vanderbum, endeavoring to put on an arch, quizzical expression. "If it is in my power I instantly will. Pray, do not hesitate to ask me anything you choose."
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