h. Beyond that we dared not proceed, as the
country was so open that we might easily have been seen had we made the
attempt. The band, accordingly, here left their horses under charge of
five of their number, and as soon as it was dusk they commenced their
stealthy approach to the camp. Sigenok and another young and active
Indian undertook to look after me. Not a word was spoken after we set
out--not a leaf was moved, scarcely a blade of grass was uselessly
pressed down. On they crept slowly, and so gently that I could scarcely
hear the footfalls even of my two companions. I imitated their way of
walking, and as I had on mocassins I also was able to avoid making the
slightest noise. We had got within a thousand yards of the camp when we
all stopped to listen. The camp was still astir, and there were sounds
of feasting and revelry. The Indians with me ground their teeth--their
enemies, fancying themselves secure, were about to indulge in a
scalp-dance over the scalps they had taken in the morning. As yet the
scouts had not got near enough to ascertain if my brother was with them.
I entreated Sigenok to let me go and ascertain. "Not without me," was
his answer. "Bah, we will go." I eagerly and fearlessly pressed on.
We had to crawl along the ground lest our figures might be perceived, by
the sharp eyes of the Sioux, against the sky. We reached a small
stream. The camp was formed a little way beyond it. We waded across
it, and creeping up, looked over the bank. In the centre was a fire
which, as it blazed up, threw a strange light on the groups of fierce
savages clustering round it. At a little distance was a figure which
attracted all my attention--it was that of my brother. He was seated on
a log of wood, close to which a stake was driven in, and to this his
wrists were tightly secured, though his feet were free. His head was
bent down; he sat perfectly quiet, as if resigned to his fate. By the
gestures of his captors I thought that they were talking about him, and
I feared that they were proposing forthwith to put him to death. I
dared not ask Sigenok what he thought; the slightest sound might have
betrayed us. Oh how I longed to rush forward and join his fate,
whatever that might be. I believe that I should have done so when I saw
him lift up his pale countenance, so expressive of grief and pain, had
not Sigenok held me back. He was, I was sure, thinking of me, and how
miserable I should be when