Let them take her. Her life is spared. She shall remain with
our tribe."
The Raven inclined his head, and taking a knife from a warrior
near, he cut the cords which bound Ethel, and beckoning to the
Fawn, handed the astonished girl again into her charge saying as he
did so, "Stop in hut. Not go out; go out, bad." And then,
accompanied by his friends, he retired without a word to one of
their huts.
A perfect stillness had hung over the crowd during this scene; but
when it became known that Ethel was to go off unscathed a murmur
broke out from the elder females, disappointed in their work of
vengeance. But the Stag waved his hand peremptorily, and the crowd
scattered silently to their huts, to talk over the unusual scene
that had taken place.
The Raven and his friends talked long and earnestly together. They
were in no way deceived by the appearance of friendliness which the
Stag had assumed. They knew that henceforth there was bitter hatred
between them, and that their very lives were insecure. As to Ethel,
it was, they knew, only a short reprieve which had been granted
her. The Stag would not risk a division in the tribe for her sake,
nor would attempt to bring her to a formal execution; but the first
time she wandered from the hut she would be found dead with a knife
in her heart.
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