No, it was not joy that shone in her eyes. None the
less, the ancient yoke of society being offered, we bowed our necks
again, fools and slaves, surrendering freedom, joy, content, as though
that were our duty.
CHAPTER XXXIV
THE LOSS OF PARADISE
Silently we made our way toward the edge of the thicket where it faced
upon the open valley. All about me I could hear the tinkling and
crashing of fairy crystal walls, the ruins of that vision house I had
builded in my soul. At the edge of the thicket we crouched low, waiting
and looking out over the valley, two savages, laired, suspicious.
Almost as we paused I saw coming forward the stooping figure of an
Indian trailer, half naked, beleggined, moccasined, following our fresh
tracks at a trot. I covered him with the little silver bead, minded to
end his quest. But before I could estimate his errand, or prepare to
receive him, closely in case he proved an enemy, I saw approaching
around a little point of timber other men, white men, a half dozen of
them, one a tall man in dusty garments, with boots, and hat, and gloves.
And then I saw her, my promised wife, leave my side, and limp and
stagger forward, her arms outstretched.
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