"
"Then the sooner we part the better. Horses are plenty on the bottom.
Go; make your choice, and leave us in peace."
"That is impossible, while the old man, who has been a friend of my
family near half a century, is left a prisoner. What has he done, that
he too is not released?
"Ask no questions that may lead to deceitful answers," sullenly
returned the squatter; "I have dealings of my own with that trapper,
that it may not befit an officer of the States to meddle with. Go,
while your road is open."
"The man may be giving you honest counsel, and that which it concerns
you all to hearken to," observed the old captive, who seemed in no
uneasiness at the extraordinary condition in which he found himself.
"The Siouxes are a numberless and bloody-minded race, and no one can
say how long it may be, afore they will be out again on the scent of
revenge. Therefore I say to you, go, also; and take especial heed, in
crossing the bottoms, that you get not entangled again in the fires,
for the honest hunters often burn the grass at this season, in order
that the buffaloes may find a sweeter and a greener pasturage in the
spring.
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