Part 5 (1/2)
”If you were a silly hysterical girl, Mandy, I would say 'no danger' of course. But the signs are ominous. I don't fear anything immediately, but any moment a change may come and then we shall need to act quickly.”
”What then?”
”We shall ride to the Fort, I can tell you, without waiting to take our stuff with us. I take no chances now.”
”Now? Meaning?”
”Meaning my wife, that's all. I never thought to fear an Indian, but, by Jove! since I've got you, Mandy, they make me nervous.”
”But these Piegans are such--”
”The Piegans are Indians, plain Indians, deprived of the privilege of war by our North West Mounted Police regulations and of the excitement of the chase by our ever approaching civilization, and the younger bloods would undoubtedly welcome a 'bit of a divarshun,' as your friend Mike would say. At present the Indians are simply watching and waiting.”
”What for?”
”News. To see which way the cat jumps. Then--Steady, Ginger! What the deuce! Whoa, I say! Hold hard, Mandy.”
”What's the matter with them?”
”There's something in the bushes yonder. Coyote, probably. Listen!”
There came from a thick clump of poplars a low, moaning cry.
”What's that?” cried Mandy. ”It sounds like a man.”
”Stay where you are. I'll ride in.”
In a few moments she heard his voice calling.
”Come along! Hurry up!”
A young Indian lad of about seventeen, ghastly under his copper skin and faint from loss of blood, lay with his ankle held in a powerful wolf-trap, a b.l.o.o.d.y knife at his side. With a cry Mandy was off her horse and beside him, the instincts of the trained nurse rousing her to action.
”Good Heavens! What a mess!” cried Cameron, looking helplessly upon the b.l.o.o.d.y and mangled leg.
”Get a pail of water and get a fire going, Allan,” she cried. ”Quick!”
”Well, first this trap ought to be taken off, I should say.”
”Quite right,” she cried. ”Hurry!”
Taking his ax from their camp outfit, he cut down a sapling, and, using it as a lever, soon released the foot.
”How did all this mangling come?” said Mandy, gazing at the limb, the flesh and skin of which were hanging in shreds about the ankle.
”Cutting it off, weren't you?” said Allan.
The Indian nodded.
Mandy lifted the foot up.