Міжзірковий мандрівник

           Butthelongjourneyandhardshiphadtoldonher,sothatshewashollow-cheekedandgaunt,andlikeallthewomeninthecompanysheworeanexpressionofbrooding,never-ceasinganxiety.

           ItwaswhenLeedescribedtheorderofmarchthatLabancametome.Leesaidthatthewomenandthechildrenthatwalkedshouldgofirstintheline,followingbehindthetwowagons.Thenthemen,insinglefile,shouldfollowthewomen.WhenLabanheardthishecametome,untiedthescalpsfromhisbelt,andfastenedthemtomywaist.

           “Butyouain’tkilledyet,”Iprotested.

           “YoubetyourlifeIain’t,”heansweredlightly.

           “I’vejustreformed,that’sall.Thisscalp-wearin’isavainthingandheathen.”Hestoppedamomentasifhehadforgottensomething,then,asheturnedabruptlyonhisheeltoregainthemenofourcompany,hecalledoverhisshoulder,“Well,solong,Jesse.”

           Iwaswonderingwhyheshouldsaygood-byewhenawhitemancameridingintothecorral.HesaidMajorHigbeehadsenthimtotellustohurryup,becausetheIndiansmightattackatanymoment.

           Sothemarchbegan,thetwowagonsfirst.Leekeptalongwiththewomenandwalkingchildren.Behindus,afterwaitinguntilwewereacoupleofhundredfeetinadvance,cameourmen.