aused him to writhe inwardly, until his fingers
twitched beneath the folds of his blanket with eagerness to tear out the
tongue that thus jeered at him. Yet the lads did not dream how near they
were to tragedy as they laughed at the little comedy, with the chief
actor sitting huddled at their feet. They did not notice how the
Indian's eyes first measured the distance from the overhanging bank to
the surface of the water, and then as quietly calculated the distance
between himself and the lads.

"Yes, you were indeed foolish," resumed Arnold, "for you have shown us
that your words were lies. My father never wrote such a letter, I am
sure, for a red pencil is not a thing that he possesses. And if he were
well enough to write, he would be well enough to come himself, instead
of sending such a foolish Indian and a bad liar."

"At the same time," whispered Alf, "the chap must know something, or he
wouldn't be here at all. We must find out that in some way or other."

"True," Bob said.

But there was no time allowed for considering what means to adopt to
obtain further information, for just at that moment Red Fox uttered a
wild cry, and sprang from the ground with the leap of a deer. Next
instant Bob was gripped as in a vice and flung into the centre of the
pool; then, with a snarl like that of a wild cat, the Indian sprang for
Alf's throat.

CHAPTER XV

OFF!

The Indian is nothing if he is not unexpected in all his actions.
Surprise attacks were ever his weapons of warfare. From among the long
grass of an apparently innocent meadow he would suddenly rise up with
his followers to attack the caravan that was quietly pursuing its way
along the prairie in absolute ignorance of the nearness of enemies. In
the dead hour of night the war-whoop would suddenly ring through the
forest, and the settlers would be scalped and dead before the last echo
had time to fade away.

So it was on this occasion. Utterly unsuspicious of attack, both boys
were taken at a disadvantage. Bob was floundering in the water before he
had time to realise the assault, while Alf was equally unprepared as the
Indian sprang towards him.

The claw-like fingers missed their intended grip upon the boy's throat,
but the arms managed to grapple the lad in a tight embrace. Alf
struggled well, but he was no match for the muscles of the giant
Dacotah.

"I'm coming! I'll be with you in a second!" called Bob from the water,
striking out strongly for