to be but a tiny little speck
in the centre of the world of Nature. You feel as free as a savage. If
you are not happy, it must be that you are a weakling boy who lacks the
real boy's love for out-of-door freedom.

These were some of the sensations that our young heroes experienced as
they splashed about in the crystal pool. Probably they did not realise
the details as I have described them; but that was the effect, all the
same. It is the glorious sense of freedom that everybody feels if they
have the "backwoods spirit." It cannot be properly described, but I can
smell the atmosphere of it all, even though I am now sitting in an
English room in an English county. And so intent were the boys on the
enjoyment of the moment that they did not observe the figure of an
Indian who crept out of the bush near by while they were experimenting
in various positions for swimming.

The Indian paused for a few moments. Then, seeing the attention of the
lads was devoted to their amusement, he crept to the tent like a snake
in the long grass. This he examined thoroughly, and he gave a grunt of
satisfaction as he discovered the pack-horse picketed near by. After
this, seeing no necessity for further secrecy of movement, he boldly
walked to the edge of the pool where the boys were bathing, and sat down
quietly to watch their play.

It was Alf who was the first to discover the stranger. "I say! There's
an Indian!" he exclaimed.

"Where?" questioned Bob, who had swum a little way out of sight beyond a
curve in the creek.

"Over there--beside our clothes. But, I say, what a horrible face he has
got! He looks as if a lion had started to chew him and changed his mind!
He's the ugliest-looking freak I ever saw."

Taking for granted that the Indian would not understand the
uncomplimentary remarks, Holden swam towards the side of the pool, being
quickly followed by his chum. But the Indian had understood. He was as
familiar with colloquial English as he was with his own tongue.
Nevertheless, he did not alter the grin on his face, though there was
something very different from a grin at his heart--a something which (if
the rash speaker had only known it) had suddenly determined him to carry
out his contract in quite a different manner from that which had been
arranged with Thunder-maker.

An Indian is a queer creature at the best. He loves as quickly and
impulsively as he hates, while devotion may be turned into detestation
as rapidly a