Part 7 (2/2)
He turned to look at the boat, and then leaped to his feet in some fear.
Totantora, by leaning well over the stern of the boat, had dragged the torn coat out of the propeller, and now he was coolly examining the mechanism with the evident idea of starting the boat. The Indian seemed familiar with the driving power of such a craft.
”I think he will bring his daughter ash.o.r.e,” Ruth said composedly. ”If I were you I would not cross him further.”
”I ain't going to, Miss,” said the fellow, now on his feet. ”I see Jim is keeping as far away from him as he can. Jim can't swim.”
”Go aside somewhere. When they reach the bank I will try to take Totantora and the girl away with me. Do nothing to cross him, for the temper of an Indian is not easily quelled. It just simmers and may break out again at any time.”
”Believe me,” said the fellow, starting off through the bushes, ”I ain't aiming to have another run-in with him. Not with my bare hands. I hope he don't smash the boat, that's all.”
”I will do all I can to pacify Totantora,” said Ruth, and she really was somewhat anxious on this point, for the grim countenance of the Indian chief threatened further reprisal.
He was busy with the engine for a time; but by and by the regular popping of the exhaust revealed the fact that everything was all right with it.
The boat described a circle and came back into the cove and to the place where Ruth stood on the bank.
The second white man, who was younger and looked less like a drowned rat, remained in the bow, staring back in apprehension at the Indian. The moment he could do so, this man leaped ash.o.r.e.
”Say nothing to him,” advised Ruth. ”I will try to take them both away.
And, as I have warned your companion, have nothing more to do with Bilby or his schemes. These Indians are my friends, and they have other friends who are much more powerful than I am, I can a.s.sure you.”
”Yes, Miss,” said the man, politely enough. ”I don't want to mix in with that redskin. I guess not!”
Wonota stepped ash.o.r.e and Ruth gave her the shoe she had lost. Her father followed her. He turned as though to set the boat adrift, but Ruth laid her hand upon his wet sleeve.
”Let it alone, Totantora. I hope you will be advised by me. We will go right away from here. Instead of waiting until to-morrow, let us leave here to-night and start for the North.”
Wonota said something to her father in their own tongue, and he looked at Ruth more peacefully.
”White lady is always my friend, I know; and Wonota's friend,” he observed. ”But these bad men tried to steal Wonota.”
”Tell me how it happened,” Ruth put in, hoping to change his trend of thought and determination.
”I will tell you, my friend,” said the Indian girl. ”A little fat man came in a car when Chief Totantora and I were walking in the road. He got us to sit down yonder and talk to him. He is one of those who have tried to get Chief Totantora and me to go away from you to make pictures. He offers much money. And while we talked, those other two men crept up behind us and they all seized Chief Totantora and me. We were bound and our mouths closed before we knew how many, or how few, our enemies were.
Then my father was left in the wood and I was carried to the boat. I do not know what became of the little fat man.”
”I saw him drive away,” Ruth said. ”It made me suspicious. I had already seen and talked with the fat man, whose name is Bilby. Don't forget that name, Wonota.”
”I will remember,” said the Indian girl, composedly.
”He may make some other attempt to get possession of you. Some attempt by aid of the courts.”
”The white man's law is very strange,” muttered Totantora.
”But we will get ahead of Bilby before he can do anything else,” Ruth went on. ”Miss Cameron's car is outside in the road. Go to the hotel and change your clothes, Totantora, and I will take both you and Wonota back to the Red Mill. Until we get away for the North I shall not want you out of my sight.”
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