Page:The trail of the golden horn.djvu/204

200 Tom, however, made no reply, but stared intently at the sergeant.

“Is anything wrong with the missionary?” the sergeant asked. “Is he sick?”

“Ah, ah, Gikhi much seek,” Tom replied. “Gikhi all sam’ dead.”

With a bound the sergeant was in the room, closely followed by his companions. Hearing the strange voices, Zell lifted her head and looked around. Seeing Marion, she staggered to her feet, and with a pathetic cry of joy and surprise started to go to her. But the recent excitement had been too much for her. She tottered and would have fallen had not Hugo sprang forward and caught her in his arms.

“What is the meaning of all this?” he asked, looking sternly at Kate. “What has happened to the missionary?”

“Bad white man shoot Gikhi,” the Indian woman explained. “Here,” and she placed her hand to her head. “Put Zell in room,” she added, pointing to the bedroom on the left.

Hugo did as he was ordered, carried the unconscious girl into the little room, and laid her gently upon the bed. Marion followed, and bent over the girl. Then she went to the door and spoke to Kate.

“Bring me some cold water,” she ordered. “Quick.”

When this was brought, she bathed Zell’s face, and ere long had the satisfaction of seeing the girl open her eyes. For an instant she stared at Marion, and then the light of recognition dawned in her eyes, and her lips parted in a smile.

“Are you feeling better now?” Marion asked.

“Yes, better. But how did you come here? Where have you been? I thought you were lost.”