CHAPTER XXIV--WHO KILLED BIG BUFFALO
Even before Kingdom finished questioning the murderer, Fishing Bird hadcome up bringing the two woodsmen from the gully. All three were quicklyinformed of Lobb's confession and of the discovery of John Jerome andthe great danger surrounding him. The entire party looked to Ree for asuggestion.
"We've got to act and act quickly," the lad said in a low tone. "IfFishing Bird will be our escort, I propose that we go to the Delawaretown as fast as we can go. If Captain Pipe can be made to understandthat Lone-Elk has deceived the Delawares in one way, we can, withFishing Bird's help, and Lobb's confession, bring him to his sensesabout this witchcraft business."
"Lone-Elk's a bad 'un. He killed a Seneca and had to leave home," put inLobb, who had listened attentively.
"Huh!" snorted Sergeant Quayle. "Cain killed Abel an' had to leave home;but he didn't go bush-whackin' two men from behind!"
"And what about Mr. Lobb, anyhow! We can't leave him, once we've had thepleasure of his company?" put in Jim Small, with sarcasm.
"Take him along," said another of the woodsmen.
"Yes, that is what I had in mind," Ree answered. "He can tell Pipe whathe has told us. But we must be moving, men! It's a long tramp and time'sflying!"
Without loss of time the party got under way. No one questioned thewisdom of Kingdom's plan, although, if the truth were known, two of themen at least, looked for a lively scrimmage as a result of theundertaking. But they did not falter. Indeed, it is a question if theydid not rather relish the prospect of a brush with the Delawares. Lobbwas completely disarmed but he was not bound.
"I give ye my word, master, I'll not try get-tin' away," he said.
"Whist! Give me yer chances in the hereafter; one's as good as 'tother,"retorted the Sergeant contemptuously, and then informed the murdererfurther that the slightest attempt on his part would result in his beingshot first and asked as to the meaning of it afterward.
The fellow made some very humble answer but he grew decidedly thoughtfuland rather sullen as the marchers hurried rapidly through the woods.There was a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes, too, when the partypassed the clearing and saw only a heap of ashes and the chimney wherethe boys' cabin had stood. He was thinking. He was planning to betrayhis captors and with Lone-Elk's help to turn the tables upon them. Howwell he succeeded will soon be told, for now comes a part of thishistory which all participants therein remembered throughout theirlives, and which left its impress upon the people of Captain Pipe's townlong after the village itself had ceased to be.
The day was bright and clear. Though not warm, neither was it very cold,and the south wind which sighed in the leafless branches of the treesand gently rippled the waters of the little lake seemed soft as velvet.The Delawares were in fine spirits. With savage rapture they lookedforward to the terrible celebration the night would bring.
From the lower towns on the Muskingum Captain Pipe had broughtencouraging news of Indian successes along the border and almost withoutexception his warriors were enthusiastic for the final conflict withWayne's "Legion," which, they believed, would not be long in coming.They felt perfect confidence as to the outcome. They had seen his rawrecruits. They did not know then that "Mad Anthony" had no intention ofmarching upon them until his troops were trained. This and much elsethey learned in time and to their sorrow.
But there was another reason for a feeling of happiness in the Delawaretown, and particularly was Lone-Elk, the Seneca, in a good humor. Thisvery day there had arrived the two warriors whom Captain Pipe had sentwith an offering of white wampum to the friends of him Lone-Elk hadslain. Not as compensation, not as damages for the injury done, had thegift of wampum pure and white been sent, but as a plea for forgiveness;as a symbol of the slayer's penitence and sorrow.
It was somewhat unusual for an offering of peace to be accepted so longafter the crime had been committed, and it was known, too, thatLone-Elk's offense had been particularly cruel. So was there very goodreason for the Seneca to shake hands with his Delaware friends andreceive their congratulations.
Captain Pipe thought the outcast seemed less truly sorry for his crimethan he should have been. He little liked the haughty manner in whichthe one so lately restored to a place of honor and respect in his owntribe and nation bore himself. Perhaps he thought, also, that the Senecawas less appreciative of the service rendered him than he should havebeen. Nevertheless he gave the bold warrior his hand and told him that,though he was now free to return to his own people, he would have aplace of honor among the Delawares as long as he chose to remain withthem.
John Jerome heard by degrees of what had happened. He wondered if theSeneca would not now be less bitter toward him, and more fair andhonorable. But he was grievously disappointed. Lone-Elk showed himselfmore hostile, if possible, than before; more keen to carry out his plotto avenge the pretended killing of Big Buffalo by witchcraft; moreintense in his hatred.
As he learned just how matters stood, John's only hope for escape lay inReturn Kingdom and the men of whom Fishing Bird had told him. He knewthey would attempt to rescue him, but seeing how greatly they wereout-numbered, fear of the outcome worried him more and more. It was badenough for him to suffer, he declared within himself, again and again,without dragging Ree and others to the same fate.
The hour of the council to inquire into the guilt of the prisonerarrived. The Indians assembled and once again John found himself in thelong, low bark house where always in the past he had met the Delawaresas friends. Captain Pipe and every buck and warrior of the village wasin attendance; but more conspicuous than any of them, more proud andmore erect, was Lone-Elk, the Seneca. In his hands he held the hatchetbrought by him from the cornfield of the young Palefaces, the hatchetwith which, he said, Big Buffalo had been slain. It was the evidencethat-would substantiate his story of the witch's work.
Captain Pipe stated the purpose of the council briefly and quietly. Thenhe informed the prisoner that the Delawares would hear what he had tosay, but urged him to confess his sin and not, on the eve of death, beguilty of a lie.
With face and body blackened, his hands bound to a stick behind him, theaccused boy arose. He tried to be bold and fearless, but, though helooked the Indians squarely in the eyes, he could not speak as he wishedto do. His voice did not falter, but the words seemed somehow to refuseto come.
The charge against him was false, he said, and time would prove it.Never except in fair fight had he harmed any Indian. He would leave itto Captain Pipe to judge if he had not always conducted himself as afriend of the Delawares. He reminded them how, only the past winter, hehad brought their women and children food while the able men were awayfor the fighting that had taken place. With a suppressed sigh as he sawhow little impression he had made on the hostile faces round him, Johnsat down.
In an instant Lone-Elk was on his feet. With head thrown back andflashing eyes he repeated the story of the cloud which drifted over thelake--repeated again the whole miserable tale he had told so many timesbefore. Then he exhibited the hatchet taken from the shock of corn onwhich a crow of most strange appearance had the same day been seen.
THEY ASKED HIM TO GO WITH THEM.]
"Lone-Elk well knows who put the tomahawk where he got it, CaptainPipe," the prisoner found courage to say. But for doing so the warriorsbeside him smartly rapped his head with their knuckles, and the Senecagave him a look of hate so fierce, so vindictive it startled him.
"The white brother's time for speech is over," the chief made answercoldly, and Lone-Elk now resuming his seat, he said: "The Delawares willhear any who wish to speak further."
A travel-stained figure glided swiftly from the door to Captain Pipe'sside and spoke to him in quick, low tones that few could hear. It wasFishing Bird.
"There are Palefaces who wait with a white flag, Palefaces who wish tobe heard," the chief announced, in the Delaware tongue. "Fishing Birdmay bring them here."
Lone-Elk, with glaring eyes, rose hastily and would have remons
tratedbut with a kindly, yet imperious wave of his hand Captain Pipe motionedto him to sit down, and he obeyed.
In another minute Return Kingdom, followed by five other white men,stepped into the Council House.
"Captain Pipe," said Kingdom at once, "we have put down our guns andcome here without arms to say a few words to the Delawares which theymay be surprised to hear. The Delawares are in council and it is aproper time to speak to them. We ask nothing more than that you let usbe heard."
"The Delawares will listen to White Fox," the chief answered. "While thecouncil lasts we shall be as friends. When it is over the Palefacebrothers may go their way."
"We thank Captain Pipe and all the Delawares," Kingdom answered inclear, loud, friendly tones. "We have come to you with important news.We are received as your friends and we shall be such while in yourvillage. The news we bring will not be pleasant to all of you. For theDelawares have been deceived. There is one here who has led Captain Pipeand many of his people to believe he knew of a secret mine from which hecould supply them with much lead and with bullets."
Kingdom paused for an instant, and as he did so Lone-Elk for the firsttime caught sight of Lobb standing between two of the woodsmen. The lookhe darted toward the fellow was venomous. There is no doubt but what hethought the Englishman had revealed his secret, then led the white menthither to betray him.
But after the one quick, black look the Seneca seemed quite indifferentto the presence of any of the white men. He concealed his thoughtscompletely and the Delawares who cast questioning glances toward himwere amazed at his composure. Not so with Captain Pipe, however. He hadseen on Lone-Elk's brow the awful scowl which came and went so quickly,and to him it spoke volumes.
The pause in Kingdom's speech was very short, and few of the Delawaresnoticed for a time the effect his words had produced upon their chief.It was not until later that they saw on his face the fixed expression ofstony coldness dreaded by all of them.
"There is one among you who has sought to advance himself and his ownambitions by taking advantage of the other Indians," Kingdom went on."Three white men were sent from Detroit with lead, bullets, powder andgold for the Delawares and other warriors hereabouts. To one Indian onlywere the lead and bullets and powder given. True, he gave them to theDelawares, but he led them to believe that from a secret mine did heobtain the supplies he brought them. So did he gain power and influencewith Captain Pipe's people.
"Now, hear me further. Two of the three men sent by the British to carrystores from Detroit for the Delawares and others have been murdered. Thethird man killed them. He has confessed his crime and told the wholestory of why the Indians did not all share equally in the goods broughtfor them. This man is here!"
Putting all the emphasis he could muster into his closing sentences,Kingdom signalled his friends as he concluded, and Lobb, trembling andashy pale, was pushed into the foreground.
"You have heard what I have told the Delawares," Kingdom quietly said."Do you know if it is true?"
The boy's voice was calm and low, but in the death-like silence of theCouncil House every word was plainly heard by all, and with intensestinterest the savages awaited the answer.
"Yes; it's true," muttered Lobb with a look half of terror, half ofappeal and apology toward the Seneca.
"Now point to the one who received the gifts intended for all theIndians, not for him alone," Kingdom commanded.
The murderer looked anxiously about him. He trembled so he could hardlystand, but made no other move.
"Point!" thundered Kingdom. "You know him well!"
"There!" came with a groan from the frightened fellow's lips, and hisoutstretched finger indicated Lone-Elk.
On the Seneca's face there was an expression so threatening that evenKingdom was alarmed. But he continued his talk boldly.
"He who has deceived the Delawares in one way will deceive them inanother. Will they listen when his voice is raised against one who hasalways been their friend? Will the Delawares allow him to shield himselffrom suspicion by telling them Big Buffalo was killed by witchcraft?Will they do this? Are the Delawares men? Have they not honor andfairness?"
Kingdom would have said more, and trouble would most certainly havefollowed, had Captain Pipe permitted it. The Indians were becomingdangerously excited. Jim Small and the other woodsmen, too, wereanticipating a row, while John Jerome was on the verge of cheering.
The Delaware chief may have seen what the talk was leading toward; atany rate he quickly rose, commanding silence, and straightway began anaddress such as his people never before had heard and which no onepresent could ever forget. His voice was not loud. His tones were thoseof sorrow rather than anger, but he put into them so much of sternhonesty and both reproof and reproach, that his every word was like aknife point. He said:
"There came to the Delawares a fugitive and an outcast. In a moment ofanger he had taken the life of one who was raised up over him by hispeople, the noble Senecas. Still he proved himself in heavy fighting aloyal Indian and a mighty warrior. So did the Delawares open their doorsto him. He was given places of honor. When time had passed, and the scarof his crime was old, a present of white wampum was sent to the kindredof the dead Seneca asking their forgiveness.
"This very day have the messengers of the Delawares returned bringingpardon full and free for the stranger among them. Yet this very day dothe Delawares learn that they have been treated as children; deceivedand misled by him they helped.
"They would have adopted him as one of their own nation, but he hasreturned their hospitality with lies, their kindest thoughts with evil.
"Of the death of Big Buffalo the Delawares will now inquire amongthemselves. Witchcraft is an enemy if it exists. The Delawares willlearn the truth. But the Seneca must go. Let him leave the town and thehunting grounds of our people forever. Go!"
Waving his right hand haughtily toward Lone-Elk, Captain Pipe concluded,and a flush of anger awful to see came to his face as the Seneca satstill, his whole attitude one of indifference and contempt.
As the chieftain was about to repeat his stern command in even sternertones, Lone-Elk rose to his feet. For a second or two he toyed with thetomahawk he still held in his hands. Then in insolent tones, bothcontemptuous and contemptible, and, glaring up and down the rows offaces upturned to him, he said:
"Lone-Elk is a Seneca. Never had he a thought of becoming a Delaware.Why should a Seneca warrior put himself among squaws? For food; forrest. Nothing more. Lone-Elk did not so much as ask that the belt ofwhite wampum be sent to the friends of a Seneca that is dead. He askedno favors of any Delaware. Some of your foolish young men pointed theirfingers at Lone-Elk when Big Buffalo was found dead in the bushes by thewater. For his amusement Lone-Elk told them of a witch. Like squaws theyheard every word. Like children they must hear over and over again andcould not have enough. Like children, too, did the Delaware's open theirears and their eyes to hear a legend of a hidden mine of lead. Ugh! Awarrior sickens over them and is glad to go."
For a full second the Seneca paused and looked disdainfully about him.There was anger in every Delaware's face.
But suddenly Lone-Elk's demeanor changed. An exclamation of wrath awfulto hear burst from his lips.
"There stands the two-tongued Paleface squaw who killed your dead BigBuffalo!" he cried, and shook his fist toward the quaking Lobb."Lone-Elk trusted a two-faced black dog of a Paleface! That is theSeneca's crime! When the Harvest Festival was held this dog was hidingin the brushes. Big Buffalo stumbled upon him there and kicked him, likethe dog that he is. They seized each other by the throats. The grip ofthe dog was stronger than the warrior's grip. Big Buffalo was killed.Lone-Elk has long known this. But why should he tell the Delawares? Whytell the Delawares, to save two Paleface spies, cheating and lying tothe Indians and hunting on their land?
"Still, the Delawares are but squaws. They have no place among themighty nations. Lone-Elk is glad to leave them. The Delawares will neversee him again. Let them, then, tell th
eir children that once a mightywarrior lived among them."
Not deigning to glance again toward Captain Pipe or any of the otherspresent, but with his eyes fixed on Lobb alone, the Seneca quicklyturned toward the door.
Before his intention was suspected, he swiftly raised the tomahawk inhis right hand, high above his head and brought it down on the skull ofthe white murderer.
With a stifled cry that ended in a sickening groan, Lobb sunk to theground, and the Indian strode haughtily into the open air, stillclutching the blood-stained hatchet.