The Treasure of Nugget Mountain | Page 2

Never seek it, for it kills not only the body but the soul. I wanted to try you. I would not have given you gold, but you shall receive money, the very money on which you counted."
"That is not possible."
"It is possible, for I will it so. We will go back to where you were working. You shall continue your work, and thus receive the reward promised you for doing it."
I looked at him amazed and speechless. Could he be jesting? No; such a thing would be impossible to the dignity of an Indian chief. Or was it another test?
"My young white brother says nothing," continued the chief." Is my offer not acceptable to him?"
"On the contrary, more acceptable than I can say, but I cannot believe that you are in earnest."
"Why not?"
"Am I to understand that I am to complete the work for which my white comrades were punished with death? that I am to do that for which you rebuked me so sternly when we first met?"
"You acted then without the permission of the owners of the land, but now you shall receive this permission. The offer is not mine, but Winnetou's. He says it will not harm us if you complete the interrupted work."
"That is a mistake. The road will be built; the white men will certainly come."
He looked gloomily before him, and after a short pause said: "You are right. We cannot prevent our selves being robbed again and yet again. First they send a little band, such as yours was, which we could overcome. But that counts as nothing, for later they will come in crowds, before which we must retreat, or be destroyed. But neither can you alter this. Or do you mean that they will not come if you do not finish your measuring?"
"No, I do not mean that, for do what we will, the fire steed will come through all this region."
"Then accept my offer. It will help you, and can do us no harm. I have talked with Winnetou. We will ride with you, he and I, and thirty braves, which will be enough to protect your labor, and can help you. Then we will take these braves as far East as is necessary to find safe paths, and we will go by the steam canoe to St. Louis."
"What is my red brother saying? Do I understand him aright? He will go East?"
"Yes; I and Winnetou, and Nscho-Tschi."
"Nscho-Tschi also?"
"My daughter also. She would be glad to see the great dwelling places of the pale-faces, and stay among them till she has become like a white squaw."
I must have looked amazed at this news, for the chief added smilingly: "My young white brother seems to be astonished. If he has any objection to our accompanying him let him say so frankly."
"Any objection! How could I have any? On the contrary it delights me. Under your protection I should be safe, and that alone would be a great deal, but, above all, I should still have with me those who are so dear to me."
"How," he assented, quite satisfied." Then you shall finish your work, and we will go Eastward. Can Nscho-Tschi find people with whom she can live, and who will teach her?"
"Yes; I will gladly make that my care. She shall go to a house where there are none but good ladies who pray to the Great Spirit, and teach the young maidens of the pale-faces."
"Good. And when will my young white brother be ready?"
"Whenever it pleases you."
"Then we will go at once. Winnetou has already arranged for this, and my young white son need feel no care."
We were to start in two days, yet the peaceful life in the pueblo was not disturbed; even Nscho-Tschi served us at meal-time as calmly as usual. What a fuss her white sisters make over a small excursion, yet this Indian girl, with a long, dangerous ride before her, and all the customs of civilization to learn, showed no trace of excitement in her manner.
At last came the morning of the departure. We made short work of breakfast, for the ceremony of consulting the medicine-man as to the success of the journey was to be performed. All the men, women and children of the pueblo came out to take part in this ceremony, which was not unlike the Greeks consulting the oracle, or the Romans reading the auguries. A sort of sanctuary hung with blankets was prepared for the medicine-man, and behind this he retired, and a circle of Apaches formed around him. Then he began a kind of growling and snarling, like dogs and cats beginning a fight, the growling occasionally broken by a howl, which sank into softer tones. The howl meant that the medicine-man had seen something bad in the future;