She walked slowly down to the river's edge, holding Renée by the hand. Black Feather caught sight of her. Her tall, lithe figure, her airy step, the poise of the head, had a touch of familiarity. Ah, yes! and the name. The pretty Firefly had been taken away from the strait by a white trader, and her brother had been unsuccessful in his attempt to capture her. Ah, if this was she, then he was truly in luck!
He did not attempt to come nearer, but saw her and the child step into the boat. Elk Horn took command of this. Black Feather gathered his small force together, and his boatload of treasures of different kinds with which he could purchase supplies, and the other looked on with envy.
All day Black Feather watched warily, more and more certain that this girl would prove a treasure to him if he managed rightly. He would buy her of Elk Horn.
"What do you know about her?" he inquired. "She comes from St. Louis. Who was her father? for she has Indian blood, and I am sure I know her tribe."
Elk Horn looked amazed. "I believe she married a trader and came with him. I will ask her."
"Oh, I think so. Have you been smitten with her charms?"
The Indian nodded, but his face showed no emotion.
They made a rude camp for the night and proceeded to cook some supper.
"I have found out," announced Elk Horn. "A Frenchman, Marchand, married her. He was killed, I believe, in the assault on the town."
"Yes, I like her. I will buy her of you. Let us make a bargain."
"Oh, I do not want her. Yet she has some beauty, according to pale-face ideas. But no, I will take only the Indian girl."
They ate their supper of broiled fish, and then smoked in the gathering darkness. Elk Horn deliberated. He had not exactly thought of selling her, though it was often done with female captives. He had two wives now, and did not want to be burdened with a third who was a helpless young girl. Wives were for profit, in his estimation.
Black Feather was as wary. He was not sure he wanted to marry her. She might prove turbulent and headstrong. Half breeds were not as tractable as Indian women. And they were not as strong. They might die on your hands, and what, then, would one have for the bargain?
"You will take the child. I will not part them. You can spare a trifle more. She will soon grow up."