It was, however, speedily overcome by the offer of double wages for that week. He turned about at once and by the light of the moon, just rising over the tree tops, the two followed the trail till it brought them to the Indian town, where after some search they found the object of their quest seated alone at the door of her wigwam, smoking a pipe and seemingly wrapped in meditation, enjoying the moonlight and the cool evening breeze which was particularly refreshing after the day. Lyttleton accosted her courteously in English, and she answered in the same tongue, inviting him to take a seat on the bearskin by her side. "Thank you, I do not wish to crowd you, I will sit here," he said, appropriating a stump close at hand. Hans, by his master's direction, had refrained from approaching very near, and was resting himself on a fallen tree a few hundred yards distant. He saw that Lyttleton and the woman were soon in earnest conversation, but could not hear the words spoken. Some of the Indians were nearer, but few of them had any knowledge of English, the language used by both speakers during the interview, most of them none at all, and only from looks, tones and gestures, could they gather any hint of the subject of the conference. It lasted for a full hour; then Lyttleton rose and stood before the woman, talking and gesticulating with great earnestness. He seemed to be vehemently urging some request which she was inclined to deny; at length he drew out a silken purse full of broad gold pieces which glittered in the moonlight as he held it up. "Promise me," he said, "and this is yours; keep your promise till I see you again and it shall be doubled." "Give it me then," she cried, stretching out an eager hand. "You promise?" "Yes, yes; why not?" He dropped it into her open palm, saying impressively, "Remember. Now, good-bye," and turned exultingly to go on his way. "Stay," she cried. "Well, what more?" he asked facing her again, "is it not enough?" "Yes; but you have not told me who you are, or why you--" "It does not matter; all you have to do is to follow my directions," he interrupted somewhat haughtily, and strode rapidly away. "Your errand shpeed so petter as goot, mynheer?" queried Hans as they struck into the trail again. "I flatter myself it will all come out right in the end, Hans," was the reply; then there was a muttered word or two that sounded like an imprecation upon some absent person, with a threat of vengeance for some real or fancied injury. Chillicothe seemed sleeping when they re-entered it; the streets were silent and deserted, the houses closed and dark; only from the bar-room window of the General Anthony Wayne gleamed the light of a single tallow candle. Master and man entered there without noise or bustle and presently slipped quietly away to the room of the former. CHAPTER XXIV.