Then I addressed myself to the business before me; loosened knife and hatchet in their beaded sheaths, stirred, moved forward inch by inch, closer, closer, then to the left to get behind, nearer, ever nearer, till the time had come for me to act.

I rose silently to my moccasined feet, softly drew my heavy knife against events, and lightly struck the ringing blade against my hatchet.
Instantly the grey shape bounded upright, and I heard a whispering cry of terror stifled to a sob.
And then a stunning silence fell between us twain.
For I was staring upon the maid who had brought the Sagamore to us, and she was looking back at me, still swaying on her feet and all a-tremble from the dreadful fear that still possessed her.
"Lois ?" I made out to whisper.
She placed one hand against her side, fighting for breath; and when she gained it sighed deeply once or twice, with a low sound like the whimpering wings of doves.
At her feet I saw a cup of water shining, a fragment of corn bread and meat.

Near these lay a bundle with straps on it.
"In God's name," I said in a ghostly voice, "what does this mean?
Why have you followed us these four days past?
Are you mad to risk a scalping party, or, on the open road, hazard the rough gallantries of soldiers' bivouacs?
If you had business in these parts, and desired to come, why did you not tell me so and travel with us ?" "I did not wish to ask that privilege of----" She hesitated, then bent her head.

"-- --of any man.

What harm have I caused you by following ?" I said, still amazed and wondering: "I understand it all now.