ttle
as I have accomplished for the salvation of their souls. I have been
with them much, and my father long held their confidence ere he died.
I have even been adopted into the tribe of the Pottawattomies. None
are my enemies among that nation save the medicine-men, and they will
scarce venture to molest me even in this hour of their power and crime.
Too well they know me to be under protection of their chiefs; nor are
they insensible to the sanctity of my faith. Ay, and even their
superstition has proved my safeguard."

The expression of curiosity in my eyes appealed to her, and as if in
answer she rested one hand upon her uncovered head, the hair of which
shone like dull red gold in the firelight.

"You mean that?" I asked, dimly recalling something I had once heard.

She shook the heavy coiled mass loose from its bondage, until it
rippled in gleaming waves of color over her shoulders, and smiled back
at me, yet not without traces of deep sadness in her eyes.

"'T is an Indian thought," she explained softly, "that such hair as
mine is a special gift of the Great Spirit, and renders its wearer
sacred. What was often spoken most lightly about in other days has in
this dread wilderness proved my strongest defence. God uses strange
means, Monsieur, to accomplish His purpose with the heathen."

She paused, listening intently to a sudden noise behind us.

"Creep in here, Monsieur," she whispered, quickly lifting an edge of
the skin-covering of the lodge. "A party is returning from the Fort,
perchance with more prisoners. Lie quiet there until I return; it will
not be long."

I crawled through the slight opening into that black interior, turning
to hold open the flap sufficiently to peer forth once more. I knew not
where she vanished, as she faded away like a shadow; but I had hardly
secured refuge, when a dozen painted warriors trooped by, shouting
their fierce greeting. In the midst of them, half-stripped, and
bleeding as if from freshly inflicted wounds, staggered a white man;
and as the firelight fell full upon his haggard face, I recognized De
Croix.

CHAPTER XXIX

A SOLDIER OF FRANCE

What followed was so extraordinary and incredible that I hesitate to
record it, lest there be those who, judging in their own conceit, and
knowing little of savage Indian nature, may question the truth of my
narration, Yet I am now too old a man to permit unjust criticism to
swerve me from the task I have assu