Chapter 15

What pearl is it that rich men cannot buy,
That learning is too proud to gather up;
But which the poor and the despised of all
Seek and obtain, and often find unsought?
Tell me -- and I will tell thee what is truth.
COWPER.

The meeting with the Indian and his wife excited no surprise in
the majority of those who witnessed the occurrence; but Mabel, and
all who knew of the manner in which this chief had been separated
from the party of Cap, simultaneously entertained suspicions, which
it was far easier to feel than to follow out by any plausible clue
to certainty. Pathfinder, who alone could converse freely with the
prisoners, for such they might now be considered, took Arrowhead
aside, and held a long conversation with him, concerning the reasons
of the latter for having deserted his charge and the manner in
which he had been since employed.

The Tuscarora met these inquiries, and he gave his answers with the
stoicism of an Indian. As respects the separation, his excuses
were very simply made, and they seemed to be sufficiently plausible.
When he found that the party was discovered in its place of
concealment, he naturally sought his own safety, which he secured
by plunging into the woods. In a word, he had run away in order
to save his life.

"This is well," returned Pathfinder, affecting to believe the other's
apologies; "my brother did very wisely; but his woman followed?"

"Do not the pale-faces' women follow their husbands? Would not
Pathfinder have looked back to see if one he loved was coming?"

This appeal was made to the guide while he was in a most fortunate
frame of mind to admit its force; for Mabel and her blandishments
and constancy were becoming images familiar to his thoughts. The
Tuscarora, though he could not trace the reason, saw that his
excuse was admitted, and he stood with quiet dignity awaiting the
next inquiry.

"This is reasonable and natural," returned Pathfinder; "this is
natural, and may be so. A woman would be likely to follow the man
to whom she had plighted faith, and husband and wife are one flesh.
Your words are honest, Tuscarora," changing the language to the
dialect of the other. "Your words are honest, and very pleasant
and just. But why has my brother been so long from the fort? His
friends have thought of him often, but have never seen him."

"If the doe follows the buck, ought not the buck to follow the doe?"
answered the Tuscarora, smiling, as he laid a finger significantly
on the shoulder of his interrogator. "Arrowhead's wife followed
Arrowhead; it was right in Arrowhead to follow his wife. She lost
her way, and they made her cook in a