We said "almost hopeless." Of course it was necessary to make that proviso, for no one is ever hopeless in extremity3, so long as he retains faith in Providence4. But every scheme that they had planned had been proved void on consideration. Though free to a certain extent, they were well watched. Escape was impossible, and their only remaining hope was that when they were led forth5 for the sacrifice they might be able to take advantage of some opportunity to make a last stand for freedom.[Pg 217]
"It would not matter so much for ourselves, if it were not for the boys," Arnold said at last. "Their position is too terrible."
"Of course they will be able to find their way back to Edmonton, when they see that there is no hope of our returning——"
"No hope?" repeated Arnold. "Don't say that. I don't want to give up hope until the very last moment. Something may turn up, and in any case I intend to make a good fight for freedom."
"I suppose I do, too, when I think about it," returned Holden, with a short forced laugh. "We both mean to kick up a bit of a dust when the exciting moment comes——"
"And you may bet it will be exciting for the first redskin who comes against my fist. I promised myself to have a go at that skunk6 Thunder-maker, before I make my bow to the world. But for him, I believe this trouble would never have gone so far."
"He certainly did his best to pile it on," agreed the younger man. "I imagine that he was rather in hot water this morning, for I thought I heard him yelling. There's no mistaking that harsh voice of his. And there were[Pg 218] sounds, too, for all the world as if some person were getting a jolly good spanking7. You were dozing8 at the time, so I didn't disturb you. But I know I nearly waked you with laughing at the thought of Thunder-maker receiving a good old-fashioned correction."
"It would take more than that to do him good," said Arnold, with a frown. "The man is a cheat and a scoundrel of the worst sort. He showed us what he was worth when he told us, two nights ago, that he had the tribe by the nose. Even now, after telling us that he knew better, I suppose he's working up the people for to-night's show."
Holden grunted9 contemptuously.
"He seems bad to the core. In my opinion it has been he who has kept Mighty10 Hand away. The chief was ready to reason, but I expect Thunder-maker's boast that he could lead the tribe was a true one."
"The old case of kings being ruled by their subjects," commented Arnold.
After this conversation again flagged. Having little to say of an encouraging nature, the men deemed that silence was best, and each sat engrossed11 with his own thoughts while the[Pg 219] daylight waned12 and the shadows began to creep over the valley that a joking fate had called "Pleasant."
As time went on the Englishmen seemed to become aware of a sort of disturbance13 in the camp. Feet were hurrying here and there, and voices were speaking rapidly in low tones. Now and then, as some one passed the teepee, the words "fiery14 totem" could be heard by those within, so naturally the Englishmen attributed the excitement to matters relating to the approaching sacrifice.
But presently the excitement seemed to grow more intense, and the voices were raised to a higher pitch.
Unable to restrain curiosity any longer, the men went to look out from the door of the teepee, and as they reached the opening a strange sight presented itself before them.
Gathered in many groups were all the Indians of the tribe, including all the squaws and papooses, while the tall figure of Mighty Hand could be seen through the gloaming, standing15 erect16 upon a hillock at a little distance to one side.
All had their backs turned towards the Englishmen.[Pg 220]
They were facing the towering blackness of a mighty cliff, while with a sudden wave of silence they stood doubly transfixed, with eyes directed to one portion of the dark wall, where a sort of light was dimly glimmering17.
What could it be that had such a power to fascinate the whole tribe?
The Englishmen looked in the same direction, but the object seemed to be nothing more than an irregular line of light that might have been some reflection caused by the setting sun.
Still all watched in silence.
And, as the darkness deepened so did the light become clear. From an irregular line about ten feet long it seemed to take form gradually, while it undoubtedly18 intensified19 in brightness. Clearer and still more plainly was the outline revealed, until at last—when the sun had quite vanished—there stood out against the black wall the shape of a snake of fire, poised20 in the very act to strike, just as it was outlined on the breast of Mighty Hand!
Arnold and Holden were astounded21 at what they surmised22 to be some fresh trick on the part of Thunder-maker, or some special form of the impending23 ceremony. And at the same moment[Pg 221] a loud cry broke from the throats of the watching multitude.
"The fiery totem! The fiery totem!"
Then the Indians fell face downwards24 to the ground with fear.
Surely such a prodigy25 had never been seen before?
The sacred totem of the tribe had itself appeared, to warn the Dacotahs that the fire was not to burn that night; that the two prisoners were men, not evil spirits.
While the two men were standing watching the prostrate26 Indians, three figures crept round an adjacent tent—two of whom then darted27 forward, while the third followed at more dignified28 leisure.
"Bob!"
"Alf!"
These were the exclamations29 that burst from the lips of the captives as two boys launched themselves forward to receiving arms. Then came the dignified Skipper Mackintosh.
"You are saved, good sirs," he said, without waiting for an introduction. "My good phosphorus paint and the brains o' these fine laddies has called up the fiery totem. I'm thinking that there will be no sacrifice to superstition the—night, and that you'll a' be on your way back to Crane Creek30 the morn."
And when next day the time came for departure, and the fathers and sons had made their arrangements with the good wishes and help of Mighty Hand, Swift Arrow, and a host of eager redmen, it was Bob who was first to notice that Skipper Mackintosh and the half-breed seemed in no haste to accompany the party.
"Are you not coming with us?" the boy asked.
The Scot smiled and shook his head.
"No. I'm thinking to bide31 here for a few days, to hunt for yon hawk32 moth33 that I told you aboot. Besides, when you're safe out of the way, I mean to have a serious talk with Mighty Hand and his folk. I wouldn't have them think that yon was a real fiery serpent. That would be idolatry. We had to cheat them to save life, but—well, I'll no' leave the Dacotahs until I've ceevilised them into believin' that the legend of the fiery totem is false, and that there's better ways o' living than by believin' such gowk's nonsense."
THE END
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1
superstition
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| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
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2
ordained
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| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
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3
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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4
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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5
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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6
skunk
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| n.臭鼬，黄鼠狼；v.使惨败，使得零分；烂醉如泥 | |
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7
spanking
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| adj.强烈的，疾行的；n.打屁股 | |
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8
dozing
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| v.打瞌睡,假寐 n.瞌睡 | |
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9
grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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10
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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11
engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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12
waned
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| v.衰落( wane的过去式和过去分词 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡 | |
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13
disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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14
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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15
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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16
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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17
glimmering
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| n.微光，隐约的一瞥adj.薄弱地发光的v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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18
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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19
intensified
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| v.（使）增强， （使）加剧( intensify的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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20
poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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21
astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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22
surmised
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| v.臆测，推断( surmise的过去式和过去分词 )；揣测；猜想 | |
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23
impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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24
downwards
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| adj./adv.向下的（地），下行的（地） | |
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25
prodigy
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| n.惊人的事物，奇迹，神童，天才，预兆 | |
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26
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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27
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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28
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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29
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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30
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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31
bide
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| v.忍耐；等候；住 | |
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32
hawk
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| n.鹰，骗子；鹰派成员 | |
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33
moth
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| n.蛾，蛀虫 | |
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