See, _Sakewawin_--I have brought you a knife! When
he comes--you must kill him!"
The chanting voices had passed. The paean was dying away in the
direction of the forest.
He did not interrupt her. With hand clutched at her breast she went on.
"I waited--until all were out there. They kept me in my room and left
Marcee--the old Indian woman--to watch me. When they were all out to see
Wapi off, I struck her over the head with the end of Nisikoos' rifle.
Maybe she is dead. Tara is out there. I know where to find him when it
is dark. I will make up a pack and within an hour we must go. If Hauck
comes to your room before then, or Brokaw, kill him with the knife,
_Sakewawin_! If you don't--they will kill you!"
Her voice broke in a gasp that was like a sob. He struggled to rise;
stood swaying before her, his legs unsteady as stilts under him.
"My gun, Marge--my pistol!" he demanded, trying to reach out his arms.
"If I had them now...."
"They must have taken them," she interrupted. "But I have Nisikoos'
rifle, _Sakewawin_! Oh--I must hurry! They won't come to my room, and
Marcee is perhaps dead. As soon as it is dark I will unlock your door.
And if one of them comes before then, you must kill him! You must! You
must!"
She backed to the door, and now she opened it, and was gone.
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