--heard and stood dumfounded for a moment.

The English, who had come from Fort Miami to attend the conclave, gazed
with consternation into each others' faces, and the members of the
council looked startled.

In Simon Girty's eye there was a look of triumph, for Parquatin seemed
his spokesman.

"I defend myself!" the accused renegade suddenly cried. "I lead the red
men when I tell them to meet the American soldiers. Parquatin, the
Wyandot, is jealous; he dares to lie about me in the great council
because I lead more and braver warriors than he. But the Indians know
me; they spurn the lie as they hate the good-for-nothing lying dog!"

A short cry of rage followed the cutting epithet, and with flashing
tomahawk Parquatin sprang forward.

"Here I am," said Girty, drawing his own hatchet and planting himself
firmly. "I am willing to kill my enemies wherever I meet 'em!"

The seated warriors--for the participants of Indian councils are usually
seated--watched the scene with interest. Parquatin, young and not strong
of limb, was no match for the renegade; but he possessed the spirit of
the maddened tiger, and never thought of the strength against him.

For a moment he glared at his calm antagonist, and then bounded forward.
Girty received the shock with his hatchet's iron-like handle, and by a
dexterous blow in return sent Parquatin's weapon spinning to the edge of
the fire.

The young chief was now completely at his mercy, and, as James Girty
seldom spared a helpless foe, his doom was as swift as terrible.

Parquatin met his fate with the red man's famous stoicism.

With his arms folded upon his breast, he received the renegade's blow,
and without a death cry fell backward--his skull cleft by the keen-edged
tomahawk.

"Now!" cried the heartless victor, swinging aloft the gory weapon, and
sweeping the circle with his flashing glance, "now let the man who
persuaded Parquatin to insult me in the council step forth and meet me
face to face. He is here and I know him! His victim lies before me. Let
him stand up and say that I lie, if he dare!"

But no voice replied, and no man rose to confront the White Whirlwind.

"Well, never mind," he said. "I would not strike him if he did rise
against me. Gentlemen," to the English officers, "this is the bitterest
moment of my life. Jim Girty is not callous to every affection. I bid
you good night. Warriors, I will meet you before the big battle. Again I
say, be strong!"

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