nd myself standing there alone before the smoldering fire,
the forest before me, the noon sun blazing overhead.

The Oneida, motionless now in the midst of those who had but an hour
before decreed his death, watched the plumed sachems pass him in
silence. Neither he nor they uttered a word; but when the last canoe
had glided off down the Dead Water toward the Sacandaga, and the last
tall form faded from view in thicket, marsh, and forest, Little Otter
turned and came quietly to me, laying my hands on his heart, and
looking me steadily in the eyes. Then together we returned, picking our
path through the marsh, until we came to Lyn Montour. As she rose to
meet us, a distant sound in the forest attracted the Oneida's
attention. I heard it, too; it was the gallop of horses, coming from
the north. No Iroquois rode a horse.

Nearer, nearer sounded the drumming thud of the hoofs. I could feel the
sodden marsh jarring now--hear the brush crackle and snap.

Suddenly a horseman galloped out of the forest's edge, drew bridle at
the clearing, bent and examined the covered fire, struck his forehead,
and stared around him.

The horseman was Walter Butler.

CHAPTER XIII

THENDARA NO MORE

Astounded at the apparition, yet instantly aware of his purpose, I
sprang forward to meet him. That he did not immediately know me in my
forest dress was plain enough, for he hastened my steps with an angry
and imperious gesture, flung himself from his saddle, laid down his
rifle, and strode to the heap of ashes that had once been the
council-fire of Thendara--now Thendara no more.

His face was still flushed with passion when I came up, my rifle
cradled in the hollow of my left arm; his distorted features worked
silently as he pointed at the whitening ashes. Suddenly he burst out
into a torrent of blasphemy.

"What in God's name does this mean?" he shouted. "Have the Iroquois
dared leave this fire before I've had my say?"

His rifle rested between him and me, barrel tilted across a rotting
log, butt in the wet marsh grass. I took a quick step forward and
dislodged the weapon, as though by accident, so that it lay where I
could set my foot upon it if necessary. Instantly he faced me, alert,
menacing; his dusky eyes lighted to a yellow glare; but when his gaze
met mine sheer astonishment held him dumb.

"Captain Butler," I said, controlling the fierce quiver in my voice,
"it is not this dead council-fire of Thendara that concerns