The Indian listened in silence, and, at the pause that followed, he returned in deep tones, as if he were repeating a lesson that he had learnt by heart--
"_Out from the silver waters, when the moon is round, they shall come. They shall be pale-face, and they shall look like men._"
This was certainly a puzzling rejoinder! To neither of the captives did it convey any knowledge. Arnold, however, deemed that the best course would be to assume no impression that he and his friend were regarded as prisoners.
"The chief speaks well," he returned. "But his tongue deceives him when he says that we _look_ like men. Pale-faces we are. But we are friends to the redman. We would smoke the peace-pipe with him. But we are far from our camp. At our tents are our young sons, who are awaiting our return with anxious hearts. Perhaps the great chief has also a son! He will know, then, how heavy would be the heart of his papoose if the chief were long absent from his teepee. We therefore beg that the chief will hasten the peace-pipe. Afterwards he will lend a brave to guide the white brothers back to their camp-ground."
While Arnold spoke there was silence among the Indians, and it was obvious, from the chief's face, that his mind was disturbed with indecision.
"Mighty Hand has listened to the words of the pale-face," the chief said. "The white man's words flow as music, but--'_out from the silver waters, when the moon is round_---- '"
The speaker's voice faded into thoughtfulness, and Holden whispered to his companion--
"What is the fellow driving at? What does he mean by 'out from the silver waters'? Of course we came out from waters, but what has that to do with the moon, I wonder?"
"I can't think, unless--yes, I believe I've got it! It's full moon about this time, Holden. There's some Indian superstition, I imagine, about full moon and people being rescued from the water----"
"It sounds like that from the way he speaks. You remember Swift Arrow said much the same thing."
"Then depend upon it we've hit the mark. In some way we've got mixed up with a legend or superstition."
Mighty Hand had been consulting with Swift Arrow while the Englishmen had been quietly summing up the situation, but now he again faced the captives.