Part 6 (1/2)
There was something truly Hebraic in the exultant solemnity of his tone and gesture.
”By Jove! He won't either, I truly believe,” said Allan. ”You've made a friend for life, Mandy. Now, what's next? We can't carry this chap. It's three miles to their camp. We can't leave him here. There are wolves all around and the brutes always attack anything wounded.”
The Indian solved the problem.
”Huh!” he grunted contemptuously. He took up his long hunting-knife.
”Wolf--this!” He drove the knife to the hilt into the ground.
”You go--my fadder come. T'ree Indian,” holding up three fingers. ”All right! Good!” He sank back upon the ground exhausted.
”Come on then, Mandy, we shall have to hurry.”
”No, you go. I'll wait.”
”I won't have that. It will be dark soon and I can't leave you here alone with--”
”Nonsense! This poor boy is faint with hunger and pain. I'll feed him while you're gone. Get me afresh pail of water and I can do for myself.”
”Well,” replied her husband dubiously, ”I'll get you some wood and--”
”Come, now,” replied Mandy impatiently, ”who taught you to cut wood? I can get my own wood. The main thing is to get away and get back. This boy needs shelter. How long have you been here?” she inquired of the Indian.
The boy opened his eyes and swung his arm twice from east to west, indicating the whole sweep of the sky.
”Two days?”
He nodded.
”You must be starving. Want to eat?”
”Good!”
”Hurry, then, Allan, with the water. By the time this lad has been fed you will be back.”
It was not long before Allan was back with the water.
”Now, then,” he said to the Indian, ”where's your camp?”
The Indian with his knife drew a line upon the ground. ”River,” he said.
Another line parallel, ”Trail.” Then, tracing a branching line from the latter, turning sharply to the right, ”Big Hill,” he indicated.
”Down--down.” Then, running the line a little farther, ”Here camp.”
”I know the spot,” cried Allan. ”Well, I'm off. Are you quite sure, Mandy, you don't mind?”
”Run off with you and get back soon. Go--good-by! Oh! Stop, you foolish boy! Aren't you ashamed of yourself before--?”
Cameron laughed in happy derision.
”Ashamed? No, nor before his whole tribe.” He swung himself on his pony and was off down the trail at a gallop.