aul, seeing
how well they fitted into the wilderness scene, was forced to admire. The
firelight flickered and blazed over them, but they were immovable in all
their savage dignity. Henry put his hand upon Paul's shoulder, and pressed
gently. It was an intimation to look with all his eyes and listen with
all attention. But Paul did not need the hint.

Francisco Alvarez also was impressed. He loved the towns and luxury, but
he had acuteness and perception, and he knew that these were strong men of
their kind, men with whom he must deal according to the courtesy of the
woods. He rose from his tent, bowed to them, and walked forward. He
himself was a splendid figure in his gorgeous uniform, and his carriage
was marked by dignity.

"Now see them salute," whispered the shiftless one in Paul's ear.

Braxton Wyatt stepped forward again, produced a pipe with a beautifully
carved horn handle, and filled it carefully with tobacco, which he lighted
with a coal from the fire. Then he handed it to Red Eagle, who was the
older of the chiefs, and Red Eagle gravely took a half dozen whiffs. Then
he passed it to Yellow Panther, who did likewise, and the chief in his
turn handed it to the Spanish commander. Alvarez smoked gravely for a half
minute, and then Braxton Wyatt took the pipe.

"Now for the big confab," whispered Sol.

Fine buffalo robes were spread before the fire, and the three leaders and
Braxton Wyatt sat upon them. All others kept at a respectful distance. The
four began to talk and, although only an occasional word reached the
watching three, they knew too well their subject of converse. It was the
great conspiracy to draw the Spanish from Louisiana into an attack upon
the infant settlements, upon the ground that they were or would be
interlopers. It was cannon that the assailants needed to smash the block
houses, and cannon in abundance could be brought on the great rivers from
New Orleans.

The watchers presently saw Braxton Wyatt take a small parcel from the
inside of his deerskin hunting shirt. He unfolded the parcel and the
watchers could see that it consisted of large pieces of the finest, tanned
deerskin.

"Maps," said Paul intuitively. "That scoundrel, Braxton Wyatt, has made
them for the aid of the Spanish, and to disclose all our weak points!"

The fire blazed higher and they could see that on the white deerskin were
drawn lines in colored pigment, and the rest they guessed. It was true
enough. Braxton Wy