Part 19 (1/2)

With an impatient, violent sweep of his right hand, the chief touched John's shoulder with his left, and pointed across the lake in the direction of the cabin by the river.

Even in this brief time Ree's temper had cooled, and with proud dignity he turned and offered Capt. Pipe his hand. The Indian took it and also shook hands with John. His manner was haughty but not altogether unfriendly. The boys still felt that they had nothing to fear from him as they walked away.

Fis.h.i.+ng Bird was near by as usual, as the lads went down to the water's edge. He was naked to the waist and was bedecked with paint and feathers.

He looked really fierce as he strode up to shove off the canoe, not in his customary happy mood, but with cool indifference. He spoke to Ree in an undertone as the canoe glided free of the beach.

It was late in the day, and this fact taken in connection with the unpleasant events of the afternoon caused the boys to decide to go directly to their cabin rather than to go on to the Tuscarawas river upon which the Indians were accustomed to travel toward the Ohio, and which the lads had planned to explore.

”What did Fis.h.i.+ng Bird say to you, Ree?” asked John as they reached mid-lake.

”He said we should watch out for Big Buffalo.”

”Thunderation! I wonder if he isn't jealous of Big Buffalo that he is always warning us against him? He must know that we know the old rogue doesn't like us, and that is all there is of it!”

”Oh, I guess Fis.h.i.+ng Bird means well; and I'm sorry enough that Big Buffalo isn't going with the war party. It may be that the chief's daughter has something to do with his remaining at home, but I do not think Fis.h.i.+ng Bird is jealous. As for us, why the Buffalo has no reason to hate us on the girl's account. We never even spoke to her.”

”But she has spoken to you, Ree.”

”Never.”

”Yes, she has--with her eyes.”

”What nonsense!” Ree e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed. ”Big Buffalo is ugly by disposition and has never forgotten the mistake I made when I overlooked him and supposed Fis.h.i.+ng Bird to be in command of the hunting party I met that time they made me prisoner.”

Presently the talk drifted to other subjects, especially to the disposition of the furs that had acc.u.mulated, and the plan to take them to Detroit now seemed the best to follow.