"He will find that the soldiers are still marching forward to surround the Bad Lands; but the Sioux are safe there, for no soldiers can drive them away. But I would ask a favor of my red brother?"
"If the Red Hatchet will go near to my house I will see that he finds the Snow Flower. Let him carry her to his people in the Bad Lands, and there keep her until I come for her. If the Red Hatchet will do this for me he shall find me the true friend of himself and his people, and the soldiers shall not harm them. But the Red Hatchet must remember that the Snow Flower shall not be harmed by his people, for she is the daughter of his friend the white chief, and the sister of his friend Herbert. Does he understand that it is only to keep the Snow Flower from running away with a soldier chief that he is to hide her away among his people, where she cannot escape."
"The Red Hatchet understands and will obey. The Snow Flower shall know no harm, for she is the friend of the Sioux. And the Red Hatchet's friend will let the Sioux know when the soldiers come closer upon them?"
The chief stretched forth his hand in token that it was a compact, and grasping it Herbert Bernard said a few more words in explanation of his plan, and mounting his horse rode back toward the ranch.
And Red Hatchet and his band slowly followed upon his trail.
When upon his return to the ranch, the keen, ever-watchful eyes of Herbert Bernard had seen Jennie coming along the trail.
"Ha! not a moment too soon was I," he said.
"She is already off," and quickly he wheeled out of sight and rode back toward the Indians whom he knew were following him.
As he came in sight of them he raised his hands, made certain signs[6] which caused the band to at once scatter to shelter on either side of the trail, hiding amid the rocks and brush.
Herbert Bernard saw that his signs were read as thoroughly as though he had spoken, and at once he wheeled off the trail and disappeared in the timber.
And on rode his intended victim, poor Jennie.
She had made up her mind to take a trail that would carry her toward the nearest settler's house, and from there she would go on her way, she hardly knew how, or where.
But if she could find friends she would then be able to place her case in the hands of an attorney, and make Vance Bernard account for her property which he held.