CHAPTER XXIX.
RED CROW'S ERRAND.
The Shawanoe Indian known as Arqu-wao, or Red Crow, had come in sight ofthe ravine, which was the scene of Blazing Arrow's mishap the precedingday, when he halted with the abruptness described, for he had caughtsight of the three Indians, with his detested brother at their head.
They were walking rapidly, and when Red Crow stopped they soon passedbeyond his sight again. Looking for them to halt, and half expectingthem to turn back at any moment, he signalled the youths to hidethemselves, while he advanced in the cautious manner known to thereader.
Sure enough, he had gone but a little way when he observed the threeIndians standing in a group and discussing some question with greatearnestness. Quite sure that it had something to do with the action ofthe couple who had passed that way a short time before, he stealthilywatched them.
The truth was, Blazing Arrow, probably suspecting the identity of thecouple, was giving his attention to them. They were sure to run intodanger if they kept on to the falls, but they might escape unless hetook a hand in the business.
Almost on the edge of the clearing, in sight of the ravine, thehoofprints showed that the horses had turned off from the trail, andwith the evident intention of coming back to it at some point fartheron. The result of the conference was that Blazing Arrow and one of hiswarriors continued in the direction of the natural clearing, while thethird was sent to track the horses through the rough wood, and to signalthe results to the leader.
Red Crow cautiously followed the single warrior to learn how he madeout. No doubt the latter would have done well had he not run against anunexpected obstruction in the person of Simon Kenton, who, havingaccompanied Mr. Edwards and his wife a part of the way, turned backwith the intention of acting as a rear guard.
The meeting was as much of a surprise to the white man as to the redman, but, as has been intimated by the famous scout himself, he was justtoo quick for the Shawanoe. With characteristic bravery, Kenton leapedbehind a tree, reloaded his rifle, and coolly awaited the attack ofBlazing Arrow and his companion; but they proved their cowardice byslinking off toward the clearing, across which they made their way, inthe hope of gaining a better chance at the couple, who could not be faroff.
Red Crow now kept well out of sight of Kenton, as well as of hisbrother, not stirring from his hiding-place until the way was clear.Then he stole along the tracks made by the horses. These were so clearlydefined that a child would have had no difficulty in following them.
He knew that the couple were the parents of the young men whom he hadset out to serve. The course of the great white hunter made it clearthat he would soon join the youths, while the route of Blazing Arrowshowed that they were in no present danger from him. Accordingly,without taking the trouble of telling the boys his intention, he hurriedover the broken ground, anxious to meet the man and wife before theypenetrated too far.
Red Crow had formed a plan the moment he fully understood what was goingon, and he knew the need of haste.
Despite the almost marvellous cleverness he had displayed from thebeginning, he narrowly escaped making a fatal error. In his eagerness toreach the couple he forgot that he was in war paint and resembled inevery respect, except one, the Shawanoe whom the settler was trying tocircumvent.
It was that one point of difference which saved Red Crow's life. BrighamEdwards was picking his way as best he could, when he caught sight ofone of the Shawanoes hurrying along the trail as though intent onovertaking him at the earliest moment.
Before the Indian knew his danger the vigilant settler had his unerringrifle at his shoulder, and his keen eye was running along the barrel.But he noticed that the Indian carried a bow and arrow instead of a gun.This was so unusual that he hesitated. At the moment of doing so RedCrow stopped short and looked up with a startled look, as thoughrecalling his forgetfulness. Despite his paint, Edwards recognized himas Arqu-wao, whom he had often seen when he was actively engaged inscouting along the frontier.
The pioneer had stopped both horses, and he and his wife were on footwhen this little episode took place.
"By George!" he exclaimed to his companion, "I came within a hair ofkilling that poor crazy fool, Red Crow."
"What can be his business with us unless it be unfriendly?" asked thewife, who also held a weapon in her hands. "He may have been sentforward by some of the others."
"I don't think we have anything to fear from him. I never heard that heharmed those who did not interfere with him. I will see what he wantswith us."
As Red Crow approached, Mr. Edwards addressed him by name and repeatedhis own, but the Shawanoe showed no signs of recognizing it.
"Why did you come here?" asked the white man, sternly.
"Shaw'noe dere and dere and dere," replied Red Crow, pointing towardevery point except that of the block-house; "if go on path, Shaw'noekill white man--kill white woman."
"Do you want to help us?"
"Me show way--Shaw'noe not see--not find."
This promise was received with a good deal of skepticism, but thefeelings of the parents were greatly stirred by the next words that werequickly uttered:
"White boy Wart'n--white boy Larr--dey come with Arqu-wao."
"What!" exclaimed the father, recognizing the names, and striding infront of the Indian; "do you know anything about those two boys?"
Red Crow nodded his head several times.
"Where are they?"
"Up dere," he replied, pointing in the direction of the point in thetrail where he had left them but a short time before.
"What can this mean?" demanded the agitated parent. "I must investigateit. We will leave the horses here while we go back with him."
The mother was as anxious to meet her son and Larry, and they quicklymade ready to start.