Grunts and laconic
exclamations passed from mouth to mouth, and presently the import
of it all could not be mistaken. Kenton and Jazon were gone--had
escaped during the night--and the rain had completely obliterated
their tracks.
The Indians were furious. Long-Hair sent out picked parties of his
best scouts with orders to scour the country in all directions,
keeping with himself a few of the older warriors. Beverley was fed
what he would eat of venison, and Long-Hair made him understand
that he would have to suffer some terrible punishment on account
of the action of his companions.
Late in the day the scouts straggled back with the report that no
track or sign of the fugitives had been discovered, and
immediately a consultation was held. Most of the warriors,
including all of the young bucks, demanded a torture entertainment
as compensation for their exertions and the unexpected loss of
their own prisoners; for it had been agreed that Beverley belonged
exclusively to Long-Hair, who objected to anything which might
deprive him of the great reward offered by Hamilton for the
prisoner if brought to him alive.
In the end it was agreed that Beverley should be made to run the
gauntlet, provided that no deadly weapons were used upon him
during the ordeal.
CHAPTER XIV
A PRISONER OF LOVE
Alice put on her warmest clothes and followed Captain Farnsworth
to the fort, realizing that no pleasant experience awaited her.
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