Itsiiy-Aakíí was the first to emerge into the morning sunlight, and as soon as she spotted Amelia and her predicament, she began to laugh. She tried to hide the giggles and placed her hand over her lips. But, it was a failed gesture.
She asked in sign, "I assume it was my brother who tied you up?"
"None other," said Amelia, obviously not able to use her hands to sign.
"Here, come close," signed Itsiiy-Aakíí. "I will try to untie you, but I must warn you, my brother can tie knots even I have been unable to unravel."
Sharon was next to stick her head out of the hut, and even she burst into laughter.
Amelia sighed. "Have either of you a knife to cut through the buckskin?"
"Here, I do," came the voice of her sister. But, even she was smiling as she stepped toward Amelia. Laylah was wielding a knife in her hand. Like the others, she first tried unsuccessfully to untie the knot. "Your husband certainly knows how to tie these things so they cannot be easily undone."
"Can you cut through them, then?"
"I can, but are you certain you wish me to cut through buckskin, or should I ask my husband to come here and untie these? I am certain he would know how to do it."
"Oh, no. Please don't ask your husband. I will bear the problem of having to cut through the buckskin. I admit I will have fewer ropes to bind things. But, please, yes, cut through it."
Laylah set to work on the deerskin rope, but it wasn't done fast enough for Amelia's peace of mind. However, after what seemed like hours, at last it was done. Her hands were free.
"I think I can untie the bindings on my ankles," Amelia said as she sat down to begin the process of undoing the rope. But, after many minutes of working over the knots, she glanced up at Laylah and said, "Would you please use your knife to cut through these, also?"
"Of course." And, although it took much longer to cut through the buffalo-hide rope, because it was tougher than the deerskin, it at last was done.
Amelia sighed. "Thank you, Laylah. And, thank you, Sharon and Itsiiy-Aakíí. I wonder how long Gray Falcon has been gone, and, if it hasn't been very long, if I might be able to find his trail. Do you think any of you might dare to help me?"
Itsiiy-Aakíí was the first to respond, holding up her arms and saying in sign, "I dare not risk my brother's wrath again. I am still stinging from our encounter with him only days ago. I fear I cannot help you."
"I am sorry now for asking you to accompany me, Sweet Woman," said Amelia in sign. "I involved you in my schemes and got you into trouble."
Sweet Woman giggled. "It was good I came with you. I saw my sweetheart and we talked. When he returns, he will give my father many horses so we can marry."
"Oh, how happy I am for you and I am glad something good came from our adventure. May he obtain many horses."
Sweet Woman grinned.
"Laylah," asked Amelia. "Could you help me to trail after my husband?"
"I cannot," said Laylah.
"Laylah, how can you not help me? Aren't you my sister?"
"Indeed, I am, but I must stay here to aid my husband."
Amelia glanced away. "I'm sorry. I had forgotten how important you are to your husband when he is at work."
"I try to be," said Laylah.
"From what I hear, you are very successful."
Laylah smiled.
"I would ask you, Sharon, but I know you are as uneducated as I am about how to follow a trail."
"I fear you are correct," Sharon agreed. "Although I suppose I could go with you, and we both could become lost."
Amelia chuckled. "Yes, I am certain this would be the result. But truly, it looks to me as if I will have to do this alone. Which way is the fort, by the way?"
