n. But I pointed out to Totantora that, after all, a
promise is only a promise. He and Wonota have already had considerable
hard cash from us," and Mr. Hammond ended with a laugh.

He was evidently not so much impressed by the possible danger of Bilby's
presence in the Thousand Islands as Ruth could have wished. She
determined herself, however, to be sharply on the watch for the
reappearance of the coarse little fat man who had so troubled her and the
Indians at the Red Mill.

She took Totantora into her confidence, after speaking to Mr. Hammond,
although she did not say a word to Wonota. Despite the natural stoicism
of the Osage maiden, Ruth did not know but that Wonota might become
nervous if she knew the plotting Bilby was near at hand.

The chief listened to Ruth's warning with a certain savage anger in his
look that warned Ruth not to push the suggestion of Bilby's determination
to obtain possession of Wonota too far. The chief was not a patient man,
and the possible threat against the safety of his daughter roused in him
the instinct of defence.

"Me watch," he said. "That fat man come here, me chase him away. Yes!"

"Don't do him any harm, Totantora," warned Ruth. "But tell Mr. Hammond or
me if you see him."

Nobody saw Bilby immediately, however; and as several days passed Ruth
began to wonder if, after all, she had not been mistaken in her
identification of the fat man in the boat.

Meanwhile, the making of the picture went on steadily; but something
else--and something Helen Cameron at least considered of moment--was
planned during this time.

Many other summer residents of the Thousand Islands besides the Copleys
had now arrived, and the gaiety of the season was at its height. There
was one very large hotel at Alexandria Bay, and it was planned to use its
ballroom for a "big war dance," to quote Helen. It was to be a costume
dance, and everybody that appeared on the floor must be dressed in Indian
costume.

Wonota helped the chums and the actresses with the Alectrion Film
Corporation who attended, in the getting up of their costumes and the
staining of their faces and arms. The Osage girl herself wore a beautiful
beaded robe, feather-trimmed and brilliantly dyed. It was her "coronation
robe" in the picture she was helping to film. But Mr. Hammond, who
likewise attended the dance, allowed the girl to wear this finery, which
really was part of the "props" of the company.

Launches were engaged from