ly.

"He seems bad to the core. In my opinion it has been he who has kept
Mighty Hand away. The chief was ready to reason, but I expect
Thunder-maker's boast that he could lead the tribe was a true one."

"The old case of kings being ruled by their subjects," commented Arnold.

After this conversation again flagged. Having little to say of an
encouraging nature, the men deemed that silence was best, and each sat
engrossed with his own thoughts while the daylight waned and the
shadows began to creep over the valley that a joking fate had called
"Pleasant."

As time went on the Englishmen seemed to become aware of a sort of
disturbance in the camp. Feet were hurrying here and there, and voices
were speaking rapidly in low tones. Now and then, as some one passed the
teepee, the words "fiery totem" could be heard by those within, so
naturally the Englishmen attributed the excitement to matters relating
to the approaching sacrifice.

But presently the excitement seemed to grow more intense, and the voices
were raised to a higher pitch.

Unable to restrain curiosity any longer, the men went to look out from
the door of the teepee, and as they reached the opening a strange sight
presented itself before them.

Gathered in many groups were all the Indians of the tribe, including all
the squaws and papooses, while the tall figure of Mighty Hand could be
seen through the gloaming, standing erect upon a hillock at a little
distance to one side.

All had their backs turned towards the Englishmen.

They were facing the towering blackness of a mighty cliff, while with a
sudden wave of silence they stood doubly transfixed, with eyes directed
to one portion of the dark wall, where a sort of light was dimly
glimmering.

What could it be that had such a power to fascinate the whole tribe?

The Englishmen looked in the same direction, but the object seemed to be
nothing more than an irregular line of light that might have been some
reflection caused by the setting sun.

Still all watched in silence.

And, as the darkness deepened so did the light become clear. From an
irregular line about ten feet long it seemed to take form gradually,
while it undoubtedly intensified in brightness. Clearer and still more
plainly was the outline revealed, until at last--when the sun had quite
vanished--there stood out against the black wall the shape of a snake of
fire, poised in the very act to strike, just as it was outlined on the
breas