Standing in the woods that grew up next to the fort, both Eagle Heart and Gray Falcon prepared themselves for a possible battle; they had both divested themselves of all clothing except their breechcloths and knee-high moccasins. Together, they had waited until the early-morning hours—well past midnight—before they had commenced setting their strategy into action.
Although they were both stripped of any cumbersome clothing, Gray Falcon had ensured they each one carried objects of war. Their quivers were full of arrows and each man's bow was carried crosswise over his back.
Also, they had each one slung a rifle by its buckskin strap over his back. Knives had been neatly tucked into their sheaths, which were then attached to the string tied around each man's waist—the same string which held the breechcloth in place. Several smaller knives were also tucked into their knee-high moccasins.
Their agreed-upon strategy was simple, as well as direct: prepare for battle and a fight if necessary, but it was their mutual intention to rescue their father-in-law in the manner of the Indian scout—to do it under the nose of the evil trader, Maká'pato'si, without him even being aware it had been done. Indeed, both Eagle Heart and Gray Falcon carried a buckskin cloth upon their person for the purpose of gagging their father-in-law, as well as their mother-in-law, should either one of them attempt to summons others.
At last, the moment had arrived to act, and both men, having painted themselves to appear as dark as the night around them, sallied forth, bending over at the waist to avoid discovery as they trod lightly over the ground. Earlier in the day, they had hidden a tall and strong tepee pole against the wall of the fort, hiding it in plain sight.
Because there were no guards pacing back and forth along the parapets in this early-morning hour, Gray Falcon and Eagle Heart were able to position the pole next to the wooden ramparts of the fort. Next, they shimmied up the pole, first Eagle Heart then Gray Falcon climbing over the wall at the back of the fort. Once over the wall, they each one dropped down to land as silently as possible upon the dirt.
Gray Falcon was well aware where the guest room lay within the establishment, having accompanied A'sitápi to this room when she had arrived at Fort McKenzie over a month ago. It was to be assumed both his father-in-law, as well as his mother-in-law, had been granted the same room for the entirety of their stay.
The only window in the room was a small one, lined simply with parchment, and it opened outwardly. Oddly, when touched, it released to Gray Falcon's hand without him having to negotiate a lock. Because of this, both he and Eagle Heart were able to sneak into the room without encountering a fight.
The floor of the room was composed of dirt, making it easy to step quietly into the room. But, they had no more than placed their feet upon the ground when a woman's voice spoke to them from directly in front of them. She whispered, "It's about time you boys showed up here. I've been expecting you for days. Took your time getting here. Now, what do you need me to do to help you?"
Startled at first, Gray Falcon eventually calmed himself enough to smile. He even chuckled silently. So, it was from his wife's mother where the trait of A'sitápi speaking openly might have originated.
Although it was forbidden for an Indian man to talk to his mother-in-law or to even look at her, there were some emergencies when the rule became burdensome. Because of this, Gray Falcon asked in a low voice, "Do you know sign language?"
"A little," Molly McIntosh, his mother-in-law, answered in sign.
"Good," Eagle Heart signed. "When one must use secrecy, one speaks only in sign."
"I understand," Molly McIntosh said with the hand talk.
"I would have you know we are here to bring your husband and you to your daughters. In this way," signed Gray Falcon, "you will be with them and safely away from any harm the old trader—the man you call Calhoun— might wish upon you." He spoke Calhoun's name as silently as possible.
"Good for you," she signed. "I knew the both of you would do something about this." Gazing straight at Gray Falcon, Mrs. McIntosh said in sign, "I sent Amelia here to you, Mr. Falcon, to keep her safe."
"I know," Gray Falcon murmured.
"I thought you might have come to understand this," she said. "I hear the two of you are now married?"
"We are."
"I am glad. And now, Mr. Eagle Heart, my daughter writes me glowing letters of how happy she is with you and how much she loves you, a sentiment which she tells me you return wholeheartedly."
Eagle Heart nodded. "I love my wife more than life, itself."
"I know," returned Molly McIntosh. "It is why I have awaited you both coming here, and why I will help you. But, I need your word of honor, if you please: I would ask you both to bring me to my daughters and nowhere else."
Without even a moment passing by, both men promised.
"Thank you," whispered Molly McIntosh.
The three of them set to work then, tying Robert McIntosh's feet together. Afterward, they bound his hands in front of him, instead of from behind. Oddly, the man did not awaken, and Eagle Heart commented on this, using the language of sign to talk.
Molly McIntosh explained the cause of her husband's unconsciousness, and, speaking with gestures, she said, "He drank too much whiskey last night and came home drunk. He's sleeping it off and will probably not awaken until around noon tomorrow. I admit he will have quite a surprise awaiting him."
With a simple nod, both Gray Falcon and Eagle Heart acknowledged her.
She went on to say, "I have two horses saddled and waiting for us."
When Gray Falcon expressed surprise, his mother-in-law signed, "I have been ready for this for several days; I have been truthful with you when I said I've been expecting you both. While I have waited, I have prepared our escape. We can leave by the front gate, I think. But, perhaps we should be as quiet as possible as we go out of the fort."
Gray Falcon was again impressed with the intelligence of his wife's mother. However, he said, "I believe only you and your husband should leave by the front gate. We will take you to the stables and will tie your husband onto one of the two horses you have already saddled. You will have to lead both of the horses out of the fort, however. If we were to accompany you, I think there might be a fight. My friend and I will leave the fort the same way we entered, and we will meet you in the Indian encampment."
