er shows when stricken by panic.

Had he kept cool, and carefully turned and twisted about as required,
while slowly drawing backward, he could have released himself from the
snare without trouble; but it was his frantic effort which defeated his
own purpose, and forced him to stop, panting and despairing, with his
head still within the room, and at the mercy of the youth, who seemed to
lower his gun only at the earnest pleading of his little sister.

It was no more than natural that the Sioux should have felt certain that
his head and shoulders were beginning to swell, and that, even if the
lad spared him, he would never be able to get himself out of the scrape,
unless the side of the house should be first taken down.

It was a time to sue for mercy, and the desperate, ugly-tempered Red
Feather was prompt to do so. Ceasing his efforts, and turning his face,
all aglow with cold perspiration, towards the boy, who had just lowered
the muzzle of his gun, he tried to smile, though the expression of his
countenance was anything but smiling, and said--

"Red Feather love white boy--love white girl!"

It is hard to restrain one's pity for another when in actual distress,
and Melville's heart was touched the instant the words were uttered.

"Sit down in your chair," he said gently to Dot, "and don't disobey me
again by leaving it until I tell you."

"But you won't hurt him, will you?" she pleaded, half obeying, and yet
hesitating until she could receive his answer.

Not wishing Red Feather to know his decision, he stooped over and
whispered in her ear--

"No, Dot, I will not hurt him; but don't say anything, for I don't want
him to know it just yet."

It is more than likely that the distressed Sioux saw enough in the
bright face to awaken hope, for he renewed his begging for mercy.

"Red Feather love white folks--he been bad Injin--he be good Injin
now--'cause he love white folks."

"Red Feather," said he, lowering his voice so as not to reach the ears
of the other Sioux, drawn to the spot by the strange occurrence; "you do
not deserve mercy, for you came to kill me and all my folk. There! don't
deny it, for you speak with a double tongue. But _she_ has asked me to
spare you, and perhaps I will. If I keep away all harm from you, what
will you do for us?"

"Love white folks--Red Feather go away--won't hurt--bring game to his
brother."

Having rested a few minutes, the Sioux began wriggling desperately
again, hop