CHAPTER IV
FRIENDS OR FOES?
So sudden had been the attack when the two men were snatched from thewaters of the treacherous Athabasca, that they were too confused torealise what was taking place. No signs of any prowlers had beenpreviously evident, though possibly the fact that danger from thatquarter was unconsidered might have secluded what would have beendiscernible by suspicious eyes.
Moreover, the men were so exhausted by the adventures through which theyhad just passed that they were only able to offer feeble resistance,and, by the time their scattered faculties were collected, they foundthemselves lying bound in the centre of a chattering throng of Indians.
Such conduct was certainly surprising in these days, when the redmen area peaceable people who have learned to regard the pale-faces aswell-meaning friends, and have long since buried the hatchet of tribalfeuds.
"What on earth can be the meaning of this?" Arnold questioned of hiscompanion, who lay at his side.
"It's certainly extraordinary," the other man said. "Yet they don't seemparticularly aggressive."
"No. They offered no indignities, such as would have been our fortune inolden days. But did you notice how that old warrior examined the knotshimself? He seems to be a sort of head-man. I can remember a smatteringof a few dialects, and I am sure I heard him say to the braves: 'Not tootight. Do not hurt the pale-faces, but keep them firm.'"
"It's certainly mysterious," said Holden. "Perhaps we have arrived inthe middle of some sacred feast. Or perhaps we've come upon them whenthey were about to carry out some form of lawlessness."
Arnold shook his head decidedly.
"No. There are no signs of feasts. As for the latter, these areDacotahs--one of the most law-abiding tribes. We'll have to look furtherthan that for an explanation. Of this I am certain: we are in noimmediate danger. That they are chattering about us is evident fromthese side-glances; but there is nothing hostile in the looks."
"More like awe than hostility."
"Just what I was thinking. But see! That old warrior is coming our wayagain. We'll learn something this time, perhaps."
As Arnold spoke, an old Indian was seen to step from the chatteringcrowd. He was tall, well built, and still a fine specimen of manhood,though his face bore traces of many years.
That he received the homage due to rank as well as to years was madeplain by the respectful way that a path was cleared, so that he mightpass through the group of twenty or thirty redskins. He carried himselfwith the air of one who commands respect as his right.
All the same, though there was no hesitation in the steady stride withwhich the Indian approached the captives, nor in the stern set of hisface, there was something in his eyes that indicated awe in the heart.The other Indians barely attempted to conceal their feelings. Throughoutthere was the expression that seemed to say (to put it in plainEnglish): "Plucky of you, old chap. But better you than me!"
Reaching the Englishmen, who were bound hands and legs, so that theywere unable to adopt any position unaided except sitting or lying down,the old warrior stopped at a couple of yards' distance.
Drawing his blanket tightly round his figure, he folded his arms andthus addressed the strangers in excellent English--
"The tomahawk has been buried between the pale-faces and the redman forcountless suns, and for many suns their hands have met as the hands ofbrothers. And the heart of Swift Arrow is sore within him this day, forthe hands of the Dacotahs have been raised in their might against thosewhose faces shine as those of our pale-face brothers."
The old man paused, and Arnold jerked in--
"Then why on earth raise them? We did not bid you truss us up with theserawhide thongs?"
The Indian shook his head.
"The ears of Swift Arrow are old. They understand not as when he was abrave."
"Your idiom is too much for him, old man," said Holden quietly. "Try himwith something easier. Better not let him know that we can speakIndian, though. It might be to our advantage later to know without beingknown."
"Quite right," answered the elder man. Then he addressed the Indianagain.
"We would ask, O Swift Arrow, for what good purpose your braves havebound us. We have been in peril from the waters; we seek the friendshipof your land. Is this the way the Dacotahs treat their white brotherswhen they seek the friendship of your shores?"
The Indian felt the reproach, and his eyes fell for a moment with shame.
"The pale-face speaks words that go right into the heart like burningarrows. But Swift Arrow knows well that all things must be fulfilled.The sun must come and the darkness follow. Then darkness come, andafter--the sun again. All things must be as Manito[1] will."
The Englishmen looked at one another with puzzled expressions.
"I wonder what he means by that?" questioned Holden. "'All things mustbe fulfilled.' What can that have to do with us?"
The Indian heard the question and understood.
"All things must be as Manito will," he repeated; and Arnold, catchingswiftly at the words, demanded sharply--
"Is it willed that we be bound, as the Dacotahs of old bound theircaptives for burning?"
This was evidently a point of view that had not occurred to the redskin,for he was at a loss for an immediate reply. He looked first at one manand then at the other, after which he repeated half aloud, half tohimself, as if he were conning the exact meaning of the words--
"_When the moon is round, and they rise out of the silver waters---- _"
"Yes, yes!" interrupted Arnold, and speaking at guesswork. "That istrue. We know that--'out of silver waters'--but is anything said aboutbonds?"
The old man shook his head. He was deeply puzzled.
"The pale-face speaks true, and it may be that the redman is wrong.There are many trails, but only one that leads to good hunting-ground.How shall the redman's eyes see right?"
Then Arnold assumed an air of indifference as he remarked carelessly,though not without a certain sneer in his tone--
"Does Swift Arrow ask a question of his white brothers, or does he talkas old squaws chatter--foolish words like running water? We could tellhim much, but it is well to know with whom one speaks. Words may bewasted as rain upon rocks."
"Let the pale-face speak," returned the Indian with dignity, though itwas plain that he was moved by the sneering tones.
"Then listen. We who came 'out of the silver waters,' as you put it, cantell you much. But how can we speak in bonds? The pale-face is a chief.He will not speak as a slave to his master."
But the old man shook his head.
"It cannot be so, lest you return to the waters from whence youcame----"
"Oh, that's it, is it?" exclaimed Arnold, with sudden enlightenment. "Ifthat's all, it's easily settled. Look here--you know that when apale-face says he will do a thing he will surely do it?"
"My white brother's word is ever truth."
"And when we say we will not do a thing, you know that we will keep ourpromise?"
The Indian bowed assent.
"Well, look here! If you will remove these cords, my friend and I willpromise not to fight and not to run away without telling you first thatwe intend to do so. We will go with you where you will. We are not foxesto hide behind bushes; we are no half-breeds to hide behind forkedwords. I have spoken."
The old man was immediately impressed by this view of the situation. Heretired for a few minutes to consult with his friends, and afterwardssolemnly returned, accompanied by a couple of young men.
"My white brother has spoken well," he said. "The redman will take theword of his white brother." Then he turned to the braves, gave a brieforder in Indian, and the next moment Arnold and Holden stood up free.
"What next, I wonder?" questioned the latter, as he looked inquiringlyat Swift Arrow.
He was not kept long in doubt, for the old man called the Indianstogether, signing to the Englishmen to take places in the centre of thegroup. Afterwards the company started on a trail that
led away from thelake through the woods to the north-east.
[1] Manito = God.