His
motive for so doing will soon appear.
While our two friends are thus preparing themselves for the perilous
duty before them, we will return to our old acquaintance, Hans
Vanderbum, and his fair charge, in whom the reader, doubtless, feels a
lively interest.
* * * * * *
It will be remembered that Miss Prescott was consigned to the care of
the amiable Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock, wife of Hans Vanderbum. The
reasons for this were several. In the first place, the Shawnees were
actuated in a small degree by their desire to lessen the sufferings of
their captive. This squaw had learned enough of the English language
from her husband to hold almost an intelligible conversation in it;
and; as quite an acquaintance had already been established between him
and the maiden, she would certainly feel more at home in their company
than among the others, who could not speak a word of her tongue. What
might be done with Miss Prescott in case she remained among the
Shawnees for several years, of course it would be impossible to say;
but it was certain they meditated no violence for the present, only
wishing to hold her simply as a prisoner. Was there danger of her
escape they would not have hesitated to kill her, it being considered
one of the greatest reproaches that can be cast in a Shawnee face to
accuse him of having lost a prisoner.
Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock was too thoroughly loyal for her to be
suspected of any disposition to aid the prisoner in escape; and
whatever might be the wishes of Hans Vanderbum, he was too stupid and
lazy to be taken into account.
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