ing of the tent
at this juncture, but the Englishmen were not left long in doubt of the
nature of their late visitor, for a voice addressed them in Indian
accents.

"Thunder-maker would speak words of counsel with his white brothers."

"Oh, he would, would he?" returned Arnold, and his companion added--

"There was very little friendship about Thunder-maker this afternoon."

The Indian gave a low laugh, as though he were thoroughly enjoying some
secret joke.

"There are days when hunter's path must be straight; there are days when
crooked trail lead him where he find much deer. To-day--crooked trail.
But Thunder-maker friend. He would speak in ear of white brother--low,
soft. Thunder-maker wise man. He speak words of wisdom to his friends.
But--none may hear but pale-face."

"By that you mean that you want to come into the teepee?" said Arnold.
"All right. Come along. And if you have any sense to speak of, out with
it."

The Indian noiselessly entered and took a seat on the robes between the
Englishmen. He did not speak during these movements, but when he was
comfortably settled he turned to Holden and addressed him in a whisper--

"Night dark, and red men sleep--all but braves, who watch that white men
no return to Silver Lake." And a second time the Medicine Man laughed
quietly.

"Silver Lake!" returned Holden. "I shouldn't think we need any watching
to prevent that. Without a canoe, Silver Lake is not much use to us."

"Still--braves watch. They believe that white men return to waters. They
came without canoes; they go back without canoes."

"Fools!" exclaimed Holden. "What do they think we are? Spirits?"

"Huh! My white brother speaks true. Indians--_some_ Indians--fools,"
answered Thunder-maker, at which Holden uttered an exclamation
betokening sudden enlightenment.

"By Jove, Arnold! That's it! That explains the whole business. These
idiots take us for spirits, since they saw us scramble out from the lake
without any boat in sight. Spirits! It's almost too silly to believe."

"Yet that's what Thunder-maker means," said Arnold, to whom the solution
of the mystery was now equally clear. "That is what you wish us to
understand, isn't it, Thunder-maker?"

"The understanding of the white man travels quick."

"And that accounts for the kind treatment--the food, half-freedom, and
the rest. But if your people think us spirits, why do they keep us here?
Why not let us return?"

The Indian paused for a