wished to gloat over the mental distress of his foe. He liked
to prolong his own feeling of power--to enjoy the consciousness that, at
any moment, he could put an end to the life of the man whom he hated
for the blows which he felt had degraded him, and which he was resolved
never to forget or forgive. It was the same feeling that has often led
those of his race to torture their hapless victims, that they may, as
long as possible, enjoy the spectacle of their agonies. For this reason
he was in no hurry to speed on its way the fatal bullet.

Again the Indian laughed, and, taking aim, made a feint of firing, but
withheld his shot. Pale and resolute his intended victim continued to
face him. He thought that the fatal moment had come, and braced himself
to meet his fate; but he was destined to be disappointed.

"How long is this goin' to last, you red hound?" he demanded. "If I've
got to die, I am ready."

"Indian can wait!" said the savage, with a smile of enjoyment.

"You wouldn't find it prudent to wait if I were beside you," said the
hunter. "It's easy enough to threaten an unarmed man. If some friend
would happen along to foil you in your cowardly purpose---"

"White man send for friend!" suggested the Indian, tauntingly.

Herbert had listened to this colloquy with varying emotions, and his
anger and indignation were stirred by the cold-blooded cruelty of the
savage. He stood motionless, seen by neither party, but he held his
weapon leveled at the Indian, ready to shoot at an instant's warning.
Brought up, as he had been, with a horror for scenes of violence, and a
feeling that human life was sacred, he had a great repugnance to use his
weapon, even where it seemed his urgent duty to do so. He felt that on
him, young as he was, rested a weighty responsibility. He could save the
life of a man of his own color, but only by killing or disabling a
red man. Indian though he was, his life, too, was sacred; but when he
threatened the life of another he forfeited his claim to consideration.

Herbert hesitated till he saw it was no longer safe to do so--till he
saw that it was the unalterable determination of the Indian to kill the
hunter, and then, his face pale and fixed, he pulled the trigger.

His bullet passed through the shoulder of the savage. The latter uttered
a shrill cry of surprise and dismay, and his weapon fell at his feet,
while he pressed his left hand to his wounded shoulder.

The hunter, amazed at the