I don't understand how her husband dares to bring her among savages like these.

You wouldn't leave me among them, would you ?" And as she asked the question, and his lips pressed hers, John Aldous still believed that in her heart she knew the truth of that night attack.
If she did know, she kept her secret from him all that day.

They left Tete Jaune before sunrise with an outfit which MacDonald had cut down to six horses.

Its smallness roused Joanne's first question, for Aldous had described to her an outfit of twenty horses.

He explained that a large outfit made travel much more difficult and slow, but he did not tell her that with six horses instead of twenty they could travel less conspicuously, more easily conceal themselves from enemies, and, if necessary, make quick flight or swift pursuit.
They stopped to camp for the night in a little basin that drew from Joanne an exclamation of joy and wonder.