“The son of the great chief, Crazy Snake, has but to hear and obey,” he said. “Let the chief speak. Lightfoot is but a child, and will learn wisdom of the great chief.” They spoke in Blackfoot, of which the prisoner did not understand a word. She felt so weak and trembling that she was almost on the point of sinking to the ground. She lifted her eyes to heaven, as if praying, and uttered a name, the name of one who, she was sure, would follow to the ends of the earth, to rescue or avenge her, if he but knew. And she uttered, also, the name of Buffalo Bill. Crazy Snake stopped the words that were on his tongue and gazed at her in a questioning way. “What does the Brown Eyes say?” he asked. “Nothing!” she gasped. “Nothing!” She shook with terror. Crazy Snake turned again to Lightfoot. “The young chief is wise,” he said. “Crazy Snake is the great war chief of the Blackfeet. His red arrow burns on the breasts of many white men already, and its bloody fire shall strike fear everywhere. The father of Brown Eyes wears it, and his scalp is now in the belt of Running Deer. But the girl is to be kept in the Blackfoot village. Crazy Snake has work to do, for the white men will gather to avenge the death of the men who wear the crimson arrow.” Lightfoot stood with folded arms, listening. “White men, one of them Long Hair, are now pursuing Crazy Snake. So Crazy Snake wishes to turn back; and he wishes to gather warriors, many warriors, to oppose the white men. He would strike the cunning white men down when they follow--strike down the thieves that steal the lands of the Blackfeet that they may dig in it for the yellow earth.” “The son of the great chief hears,” said Lightfoot, when the older chief paused. “The great chief will trust Lightfoot to take the white prisoner, Brown Eyes, on to the Blackfoot village, where she is to be held until the coming of Crazy Snake. Does my son hear with open ears?” “Lightfoot hears what the great chief says.” The young Indian looked at the girl, who still stood trembling before them. A sudden admiration of her beauty shone in his black eyes, but it was not observed either by the chief or the girl. “Lightfoot hears, and will obey,” he repeated. Crazy Snake returned to the canoe, and seemed to consider raising it and resuming the voyage down the river. But he changed his mind, apparently, and, turning from the river, he hastened away, and was soon lost to view. Lightfoot stood looking at the girl who had been placed in his charge. “Come!” he said finally. “We go to the village.” She was listening to the retreating footsteps of the older chief. “No, I will not go with you!” she declared. Admiration showed in his eyes. But he was an Indian, and accustomed to having women obey. He caught her by the wrist and jerked her along.