"The soldier, Mount, stood fire-guard.

Of what my brother Loskiel and this strange maiden did under the Oneida Dancers and the Belt of Tamanund, Mayaro has no knowledge." Why should he lie?
I did not know.

And even were I to attempt to confound his statement by an appeal to Mount, the rifleman must corroborate him, because doubtless the wily Siwanois had not awakened Mount to do his shift at sentry until the maid had vanished, leaving me sleeping.
"Mayaro," I said, "I ask these things only because I pity her and wish her well.

It is for her safety I fear.

Could you tell me where she may have gone ?" "Fowls to the home-yard; the wild bird to the wood," he said gravely.
"Where do the rosy-throated pigeons go in winter?
Does my brother Loskiel know where ?" "Sagamore," I said earnestly, "this maid is no wild gypsy thing--no rose-tinted forest pigeon.