Page:Lost with Lieutenant Pike (1919).djvu/82

 IV

ON THE TRAIL OF THE SPANIARDS

Early in the morning, before yet even the squaws were stirring, Scar Head slipped out to get the horse. He found it picketed near the river, just where Skidi had cleverly concealed it. He led it in and tied it short, before the lodge door. Then he crept back to bed again. It would be safe, for nobody would dare remove it from the limits of the chiefs lodge.

The squaws were up first, of course, to start the fires and prepare the breakfasts. Charakterik's two wives, an old one and a young one, arose and went outside. Lying quiet Scar Head heard them talking.

"Someone has brought a horse" said the young squaw. "It is a Pawnee horse."

"That is queer," said the old squaw. "Who is making White Wolf such a present? This must be the horse that was stolen from the Americans. The thief has changed his heart, and grown afraid."

"Or else it is a marriage gift," giggled the