Part 28 (2/2)

”We don't ask,” replied d.i.c.k, ”but I will say this, Bright Sun: we believe that the thing done was the thing you wished.”

Bright Sun permitted himself a little smile.

”You have learned to flatter,” he said.

”It was not meant as flattery,” said d.i.c.k; ”but there is something more I have to say. We wish to withdraw our pledge not to attempt to escape. You remember it was in the agreement we could withdraw whenever we chose.”

”That is true,” said Bright Sun, giving d.i.c.k a penetrating look.

”And so you think that it is time for you to go?”

”We will go, if we can,” said d.i.c.k boldly.

Bright Sun, who had permitted himself a smile a little while ago, now permitted himself a soft laugh.

”You put it well,” he said in his precise English, ”'if we can.' But the understanding is clear. The agreement is at an end.

However, you will not escape. We need you as hostages, and I will tell you, too, that we leave this village and valley to-morrow. We begin a great march.”

”I am not surprised,” said d.i.c.k.

Bright Sun rejoined the other chiefs, and all of them went back into the lodge of the Akitcita, while d.i.c.k and Albert returned to their own little tepee. There, as each lay on his rush mat, they talked in whispers.

”What meaning do you give to it, d.i.c.k?” asked Albert.

”That all the Sioux tribes are going to make a mighty effort against our people, and they're going to make it soon. Why else are they holding this great council of the Seven Fireplaces? I tell you, Al, big things are afoot. Oh, if we could only find a chance to get away!”

Albert rolled over to the door of the lodge and peeped out.

Several warriors were pacing up and down in front of the rows of tepees. He rolled back to his rush mat.

”They've got inside as well as outside guards now,” he whispered.

”I thought it likely,” d.i.c.k whispered back. ”Al, the best thing that you and I can do now is to go to sleep.”

They finally achieved slumber, but were up early the next morning and saw Bright Sun's words come true. The village was dismantled with extraordinary rapidity. Most of the lighter lodges were taken down, but how much of the place was left, and what people were left with it, the boys did not know, because they departed with the warriors, each riding a bridleless pony. Although mounted, their chance of escape was not increased. Warriors were all about them, they were unarmed, and their ponies, uncontrolled by bridles, could not be made to leave their comrades.

d.i.c.k and Albert, nevertheless, found an interest in this journey, wondering to what mysterious destination it would lead them.

They heard behind them the chant of the old women driving the ponies that drew the baggage on poles, but the warriors around them were silent. Bright Sun was not visible. d.i.c.k surmised that he was at the head of the column.

The clouds of the preceding night had gone away, and the day was cooler, although it was now summer, and both d.i.c.k and Albert found a certain pleasure in the journey. In their present of suspense any change was welcome.

They rode straight up the valley, a long and formidable procession, and as they went northward the depression became both shallower and narrower. Finally, they crossed the river at a rather deep ford and rode directly ahead. Soon the hills and the forest that clothed them sank out of sight, and d.i.c.k and Albert were once again in the midst of the rolling immensity of the plains. They could judge the point of the compa.s.s by the sun, but they knew nothing else of the country over which they traveled. They tried two or three times to open conversation with the warriors about them, trusting that the latter knew English, but they received no reply and gave up the attempt.

”At any rate, I can talk to you, Al,” said d.i.c.k after the last futile attempt.

”Yes, but you can't get any information out of me,” replied Albert with a laugh.

The procession moved on, straight as an arrow, over the swells, turning aside for nothing. Some buffaloes were seen on the horizon, but they were permitted to crop the bunch gra.s.s undisturbed. No Indian hunter left the ranks.

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