Part 20 (1/2)
”Deathwind-on-Chief's-trail-up-Eagle Rock,” continued the Indian.
”Deathwind-fooled-not-for-long. Chief-wait-paleface-brothers at Two Islands.”
The Indian stepped into the brook, parted the willows, and was gone as he had come, silently.
”We know what to expect,” said Brandt in calmer tone as the daring cast of countenance returned to him. ”There's an Indian for you! He got away, doubled like an old fox on his trail, and ran in here to give us a chance at escape. Now you know why Bing Legget can't be caught.”
”Let's dig at once,” replied Metzar, with no show of returning courage such as characterized his companion.
Brandt walked to and fro with bent brows, like one in deep thought.
Suddenly he turned upon Metzar eyes which were brightly hard, and reckless with resolve.
”By Heaven! I'll do it! Listen. Wetzel has gone to the top of Eagle Mountain, where he and Zane have a rendezvous. Even he won't suspect the cunning of this Indian; anyway it'll be after daylight to-morrow before he strikes the trail. I've got twenty-four hours, and more, to get this girl, and I'll do it!”
”Bad move to have weight like her on a march,” said Metzar.
”Bah! The thing's easy. As for you, go on, push ahead after we're started. All I ask is that you stay by me until the time to cut loose.”
”I ain't agoin' to crawfish now,” growled Metzar. ”Strikes me, too, I'm losin' more'n you.”
”You won't be a loser if you can get back to Detroit with your scalp.
I'll pay you in horses and gold. Once we reach Legget's place we're safe.”
”What's yer plan about gittin' the gal?” asked Metzar.
Brandt leaned forward and spoke eagerly, but in a low tone.
”Git away on hoss-back?” questioned Metzar, visibly brightening. ”Wal, that's some sense. Kin ye trust ther other party?”
”I'm sure I can,” rejoined Brandt.
”It'll be a good job, a good job an' all done in daylight, too. Bing Legget couldn't plan better,” Metzar said, rubbing his hands,
”We've fooled these Zanes and their fruit-raising farmers for a year, and our time is about up,” Brandt muttered. ”One more job and we've done. Once with Legget we're safe, and then we'll work slowly back towards Detroit. Let's get out of here now, for some one may come at any moment.”
The plotters separated, Brandt going through the grove, and Metzar down the path by which he had come.
Helen, trembling with horror of what she had heard, raised herself cautiously from the willows where she had lain, and watched the innkeeper's retreating figure. When it had disappeared she gave a little gasp of relief. Free now to run home, there to plan what course must be pursued, she conquered her fear and weakness, and hurried from the glade. Luckily, so far as she was able to tell, no one saw her return. She resolved that she would be cool, deliberate, clever, worthy of the borderman's confidence.
First she tried to determine the purport of this interview between Brandt and Metzar. She recalled to mind all that was said, and supplied what she thought had been suggested. Brandt and Metzar were horse-thieves, aids of Bing Legget. They had repaired to the glade to plan. The Indian had been a surprise. Wetzel had routed the Shawnees, and was now on the trail of this chieftain. The Indian warned them to leave Fort Henry and to meet him at a place called Two Islands.
Brandt's plan, presumably somewhat changed by the advent of the red-man, was to steal horses, abduct a girl in broad daylight, and before tomorrow's sunset escape to join the ruffian Legget.
”I am the girl,” murmured Helen shudderingly, as she relapsed momentarily into girlish fears. But at once she rose above selfish feelings.
Secondly, while it was easy to determine what the outlaws meant, the wisest course was difficult to conceive. She had promised the borderman to help him, and not speak of anything she learned to any but himself. She could not be true to him if she asked advice. The point was clear; either she must remain in the settlement hoping for Jonathan's return in time to frustrate Brandt's villainous scheme, or find the borderman. Suddenly she remembered Metzar's allusion to a second person whom Brandt felt certain he could trust. This meant another traitor in Fort Henry, another horse-thief, another desperado willing to make off with helpless women.
Helen's spirit rose in arms. She had their secret, and could ruin them. She would find the borderman.
Wetzel was on the trail at Eagle Rock. What for? Trailing an Indian who was then five miles east of that rock? Not Wetzel! He was on that track to meet Jonathan. Otherwise, with the redskins near the river, he would have been closer to them. He would meet Jonathan there at sunset to-day, Helen decided.
She paced the room, trying to still her throbbing heart and trembling hands.