He might even now be within a few miles. Had
it not been for the fire, she was certain that he would already
have been up, but she could not tell how long he might have been
before he recovered the trail.
Toward the middle of the day two or three Indians might have been
seen going through the village, summoning those whose position and
rank entitled them to a place at the council.
Soon they were seen approaching, and taking their seats gravely on
the ground in front of the hut of the principal chief. The women,
the youths, and such men as had not as yet by their feats in battle
distinguished themselves sufficiently to be summoned to the
council, assembled at a short distance off. The council sat in the
form of a circle, the inner ring being formed of the elder and
leading men of the tribe, while the warriors sat round them.
Struck by the hush which had suddenly succeeded to the noise of the
village, Ethel again went to the door. She was greatly struck by
the scene, and was looking wonderingly at it, when she felt a touch
on her shoulder, and on looking round saw the Fawn gazing pityingly
at her, and at the same time signing to her to come in.
The truth at once flashed across Ethel's mind. The council had met
to decide her fate, and she did not doubt for a moment what that
decision would be.
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