I had flung one arm around her, and she stood with one hand clenched against her lips, looking blankly into my face.
“Good-bye,” I said, and kissed her clenched hand so violently that it slipped sideways on her cheek, bruising her lips.
She gave a faint gasp and swayed where she stood, very white in the face.
“I have hurt you,” I stammered; but my words were lost in a frightful uproar bursting from the fort; and:
“God!” she whispered, cowering against me, as the horrid howling swelled on the affrighted air.
“It is only the Oneidas’ scalp-yell,” said I. “They know the news. Their death-halloo means that the corps of guides is