isn't all, Kirby. What has become of the emblem pin you wore
in your tie? It is gone, I see."

His hand went up involuntarily. It is possible he had never missed it
before, for a look of indecision came into the man's face--the first
symptom of weakness I had ever detected there.

"It must have been lost--mislaid--"

"It was; and I chance to be able to tell you where--in this very room.
Here is your pin, you incarnate devil. I found it caught in those
blankets yonder. This is not your first visit to this cabin; you were
here with Indian murderers."

"It's a damned lie--"

But Kennedy had him, locked in a vise-like grip. It was well he had,
for the fellow had burst into a frantic rage, yet was bound so utterly
helpless as to appear almost pitiful. The knowledge of what he had
planned, of his despicable treachery, left us merciless. In spite of
his struggles we bore him to the floor, and pinned him there, cursing
and snapping like a wild beast.

"Tear up one of those blankets," I called back over my shoulder to
Hall. "Yes, into strips, of course; now bring them here. Tim, you tie
the fellow--yes, do a good job; I'll hold him. Lie still, Kirby, or I
shall have to give you the butt of this gun in the face."

He made one last effort to break free, and, as my hand attempted to
close on his throat, the clutching fingers caught the band of his
shirt, and ripped it wide open. There, directly before me, a scar
across his hairy, exposed chest, was a broad, black mark, a tribal
totem. I stared down at it, recognizing its significance.

"By Heaven, Tim, look at this!" I cried. "He is an Indian himself--a
black Sac!"

CHAPTER XXXI

THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW

I do not know what delayed the attack of the savages, unless they were
waiting for some signal which never came. I passed from loophole to
loophole, thus assuring myself not only that they still remained, but
that the cabin was completely surrounded, although the manner in which
the warriors had been distributed left the great mass of them opposite
the front. The others evidently composed a mere guard to prevent
escape. No movement I could observe indicated an immediate assault;
they rather appeared to be awaiting something.

Those I saw were all dismounted, and had advanced toward the cabin as
closely as possible without coming within the range of guns. They had
also sheltered themselves as far as possible behind clumps of brush, or
ridges