CHAPTER XXVIII.
INDIAN CASUISTRY.
"I should like to know when the horse got away," said Scott, as he andTom rode on side by side; "then we could calculate how far we shouldhave to go before overtaking him."
"He wouldn't be likely to travel all the time, would he?" asked Tom.
"Probably not. He may have gone only a mile or two. Are your eyes good?"
"Pretty good."
"Look about, then, and see if you can anywhere see anything of therover."
Scott and Tom, drawing rein, looked searchingly in all directions; butnowhere was the lost animal visible.
"Somebody may have found him," suggested Tom.
"That may be. If so, we have a harder job before us."
The prairie was not quite level, but was what is called a rollingprairie, and this limited the view. Otherwise it would have been easyfor a person, whose sight was keen, to have distinguished an object aslarge as a horse at a distance of many miles.
"Are you sure we are on the right track, Mr. Scott?" asked Tom.
"Yes, I can see by the trail."
"I can see no hoof-marks."
"Not just here; but look closely, and you will see slight marks ofdisturbance in the grass. As long as these signs last we need have nodoubts as to our being on the right track."
"The same trail will lead us back to our party," said Tom.
"Yes, I shouldn't like to part from them in this country. It would berather a bad place to be lost without provisions."
They had ridden about five miles, when the trail became clearer andbetter defined. In fact, the marks in the prairie grass appeared morenumerous than a single horse would be likely to make.
Scott looked grave.
"We will halt here a moment, Tom," he said. "I want to examine thetrail."
"Shall I get off my horse?"
"No; it is not necessary."
Scott dismounted and walked about, closely examining the marks in thegrass.
Finally he looked up.
"I begin to think it doubtful whether we shall recover Dan," he said.
"Why?"
"He has been found and carried off," was the reply. "Do you see thedouble trail?"
"Yes," said Tom, after a brief examination.
"It means that a horseman has found Dan, and led him away. This rathercomplicates matters."
"What do you think we had better do?" inquired Tom.
"That requires consideration. I could tell better if I knew by whom thehorse had been found. The finder may be honest, and would, in that case,surrender it on our appearing, and claiming him. But, again, he may bedishonest, and resist our claims."
"We are two to one," said Tom stoutly.
"We don't know that. The man may belong to a party."
"The members of his party would know that the horse was not his."
"Quite true, if the party was composed of decent persons, like our own;but that is not certain."
"Then will you go back without Dan?" asked Tom.
"I don't want to do that. In fact I should be ashamed to. CaptainFletcher would conclude that he might as well have sent Peabody; and Iam not anxious to be classed with him."
"Nor I," said Tom, smiling.
"So the only thing is to push on, and make what discoveries we may."
"All right," said Tom cheerfully.
They rode on for a couple of miles, having no difficulty in followingthe trail, until they reached the brow of a small eminence. Here theywere greeted with a sight that startled them. A group of a dozen Indianswere reclining on the grass, with their horses fastened near them.Startled as they were, they detected the animal of which they were insearch among the Indian horses.
"We've walked into a trap with our eyes open, Tom," said Scott, haltinghis horse mechanically. His bronzed face was a little pale, for he knewwell the character of the savages before him, the hopelessness ofescape, and the terrible fate that probably awaited them.
"Shall we turn and fly, Mr. Scott?" asked Tom hurriedly.
"It would be of no use, Tom. We must stay and face the music."
Upon the appearance of the two friends the Indians had sprung to theirfeet, and the colloquy was scarcely over before there was an Indian ateach bridle-rein. They made signs, easily understood, for Tom and Scottto dismount.
"Stop a minute," said Scott, with creditable coolness, considering thegreat peril in which he knew himself to be. "Is there any one here whospeaks English?"
An elderly Indian stepped forward quickly, and said, "Speak, white man.I speak English a little."
"Good," said Scott; "then I want you to tell your friends here that Icame after a horse that left our camp last night. Do you understand?"
The Indian inclined his head.
"There he is," continued Scott, pointing with his finger to Dan. "Givehim to me, and I will go away."
The interpreter turned to his companions, and repeated what Scott hadsaid. Evidently it was not favorably received, as Scott could see by themenacing looks that were turned upon him. He waited, with some anxiety,for the answer to his claim. He had to wait for some minutes, duringwhich the Indians appeared to be consulting. It came at last.
"The white man has lied," said the Indian sententiously. "The horse isours."
"That's pretty cool, eh, Tom?" said Scott, provoked; not only by thedenial of his claim, but by the charge of falsehood.
Tom did not answer, thinking silence more prudent.
The Indian interpreter looked suspiciously from one to the other. Heunderstood what "cool" meant, but was not familiar with the specialsense in which Scott used it.
"I will prove that the horse is ours," said Scott. "Here, Dan!"
The horse whinnied, and tried to reach Scott, upon hearing his namepronounced.
"There," said Scott triumphantly, "you see the horse knows me. I havenot lied."
The speech was an imprudent one. Indians are not lawyers, but theyunderstand the familiar saying, that "possession is nine points of thelaw." That the horse was a valuable one they understood; and they had nointention of parting with him. Still more, they looked with covetouseyes at the horses ridden by Scott and the boy, and they had alreadymade up their minds to seize them also.
"The white man is a magician," said the interpreter. "He has bewitchedthe horse. The horse is ours. He has always belonged to us."
"It's no use, Tom," said Scott. "They are bound to keep Dan, and I don'tsee how we can help it. We had better give him up, and get away if wecan. All the same, the fellow is an outrageous liar."
He spoke in a low voice, and the interpreter, though listeningattentively, did not quite catch what was said.
"I guess you are right," said Tom.
Scott turned to the interpreter.
"Well, if you think it is yours, squire, I reckon you will keep it. Sowe'll say good morning, and go."
He pulled the rein, but the Indian at his bridle did not let go.
"Good morning, gentlemen," said Scott. "We are going."
"White man must stay," said the Indian interpreter decisively.
"Why?" demanded Scott impatiently.
"He has tried to steal Indian's horse," said the wily savage.
"Well, by gosh; that's turning the tables with a vengeance," ejaculatedScott. "They're rather ahead of white rogues, Tom. Will you let the boygo?" he asked.
"White boy stay, too," answered the interpreter, after a brief referenceto the leader of the Indian party.
"Tom," said Scott rapidly, and not appearing to be excited, lest hisexcitement should lead to suspicion, "none of them are mounted. Lashyour horse, and tear from the grasp of the man that holds him; thenfollow me. It is our only chance."
Tom's heart beat rapidly. He knew that all his nerve was called for; buthe did not falter.
"Give the signal," he said.
"One, two, three!" said Scott rapidly. Simultaneously both lashed theirhorses. The startled animals sprang forward. The grips of the Indians,who were not su
specting any attempts at escape, were already relaxed,and before they were fully aware of what was intended our two friendswere galloping away.