; and Moonlight," he added, turning a glance on Little
Tim, "is safe."

"Your face looks truthful and your tone sounds honest, Rushing River,"
said Little Tim, "but the Blackfeet are clever at deceiving, and the
chief is our bitter foe. What surety have we that he is not telling
lies? Rushing River knows well he has only to give a signal and his red
reptiles will swarm in on us, all unarmed as we are, and take our
scalps."

"My young men are beyond hearing," returned the chief. "I have sent
them away. My breast is open to the knife in the hand of Bounding Bull.
I am no longer an enemy, but a follower of Jesus, and the preacher has
told us that He is the Prince of peace."

At this the prairie chief stepped forward.

"Friends," he said, "my heart is glad this day, for I am sure that you
may trust the word of Rushing River. Something of his change of mind I
have heard of in the course of my wanderings, but I had not been sure
that there was truth in the report till now."

Still Bounding Bull maintained his grasp on his old foe, and held the
knife in readiness, so that if there should be any sudden attempt at
rescue, he, at least, should not escape.

The two Tims, Little and Big, although moved by Whitewing's remarks,
were clearly not quite convinced. They seemed uncertain how to view the
matter, and were still hesitating when Rushing River again spoke.

"The pale-faces," he said, "do not seem to be so trustful as the red
men. I have put myself in your power, yet you do not believe me. Why,
then, does not Bounding Bull strike his ancient enemy? His great
opportunity has come. His squaws are waiting in his wigwam fur the
scalp of Rushing River."

For the first time in his life Bounding Bull was rendered incapable of
action. In all his extensive experience of Indian warfare he had never
been placed in such a predicament. If he had been an out-and-out
heathen, he would have known what to do, and would have done it at
once--he would have gratified revenge. Had Rushing River been an
out-and-out heathen, he never would have given him the chance he now
possessed of wreaking his vengeance. Then the thought of Skipping
Rabbit filled his heart with tender anxiety, and confused his judgment
still more. It was very perplexing! But Rushing River brought the
perplexity to an end by saying--

"If you wish for further proof that Rushing River tells no lies,
Moonlight will give it. Let her come forward."

Littl