498 The Book of Woodcraft 



that you have done for me, the chiefs will listen. I am sure 

 they will be glad to stop this war." 



The next night, when Long Elk entered the lodge, he found 

 the man sitting up. By his side lay his weapons and a little 

 sack of food. "I was waiting for you," he said. "I am well 

 now and wish to start for home to-night. Will you take me out 

 beyond the stockade? If any speak you can answer them and 

 they will not suspect that their enemy passes by." 



"I will go with you, of course," Long Elk told him. Where- 

 upon he arose, slung on his bow and quiver, the sack of food, 

 and lifted his shield. No-Heart sat quietly on the opposite 

 side of the lodge, looking straight at the fire. Long Elk turned 

 to her: "And you? " he asked. "Are you also ready? " 



She did not answer, but covered her face with her robe. 



" I go alone," said the Arickaree. "Let us start." 



They went out, through the village, through the stockade, 

 and across the bottom to the timber, where they stopped. 

 "You have come far enough," the Arickaree said; "I will go 

 on alone from here. You have been good to me. I shall not 

 forget it. When I arrive home, I shall talk much for peace be- 

 tween our tribes. I hope we may soon meet again in friendship." 



"Wait," said the Long Elk, as he turned to go, "I want to 

 ask you something: Why do you not take No-Heart with 

 you?" 



"I would if she were willing," he answered, "but she is not 

 for me. I tell you more truly this. She has been a mother to 

 me; no more, no less. And you," he continued, "have you ever 

 asked her to be your woman? No? Then go now, right now, 

 and do so." 



"It would be useless," said Long Elk sadly. "Many have 

 asked her, and she has always turned them away." 



"I have seen much while I lay sick in her lodge," the Arickaree 

 continued. "I have seen her gaze at you as you sat talking to 

 me, and her eyes were beautiful then. And I have seen her 

 become restless and go out and in, out and in, when you were 

 late. When a woman does that it means that she loves you. 

 Go and ask her." 



They parted; Long Elk returned to the village. "It could 

 not be," he thought, "that the young man was right. No, it 

 could not be." Had he not kept near her these many winters 

 and summers? and never once had she looked at him, or smiled. 



