man shook his head. He was deeply puzzled.

"The pale-face speaks true, and it may be that the redman is wrong.
There are many trails, but only one that leads to good hunting-ground.
How shall the redman's eyes see right?"

Then Arnold assumed an air of indifference as he remarked carelessly,
though not without a certain sneer in his tone--

"Does Swift Arrow ask a question of his white brothers, or does he talk
as old squaws chatter--foolish words like running water? We could tell
him much, but it is well to know with whom one speaks. Words may be
wasted as rain upon rocks."

"Let the pale-face speak," returned the Indian with dignity, though it
was plain that he was moved by the sneering tones.

"Then listen. We who came 'out of the silver waters,' as you put it, can
tell you much. But how can we speak in bonds? The pale-face is a chief.
He will not speak as a slave to his master."

But the old man shook his head.

"It cannot be so, lest you return to the waters from whence you
came----"

"Oh, that's it, is it?" exclaimed Arnold, with sudden enlightenment. "If
that's all, it's easily settled. Look here--you know that when a
pale-face says he will do a thing he will surely do it?"

"My white brother's word is ever truth."

"And when we say we will not do a thing, you know that we will keep our
promise?"

The Indian bowed assent.

"Well, look here! If you will remove these cords, my friend and I will
promise not to fight and not to run away without telling you first that
we intend to do so. We will go with you where you will. We are not foxes
to hide behind bushes; we are no half-breeds to hide behind forked
words. I have spoken."

The old man was immediately impressed by this view of the situation. He
retired for a few minutes to consult with his friends, and afterwards
solemnly returned, accompanied by a couple of young men.

"My white brother has spoken well," he said. "The redman will take the
word of his white brother." Then he turned to the braves, gave a brief
order in Indian, and the next moment Arnold and Holden stood up free.

"What next, I wonder?" questioned the latter, as he looked inquiringly
at Swift Arrow.

He was not kept long in doubt, for the old man called the Indians
together, signing to the Englishmen to take places in the centre of the
group. Afterwards the company started on a trail that led away from the
lake through the woods to the north-east.

[1] Manito = God.