light larger and redder than that
emitted by the winged insects. Steadier too; for it moves not from its
place. They might not know it to be the coal upon a tobacco pipe, but
for the smell of the burning "weed" wafted their way.

Sniffing it, Sime says:

"That's the lot, sure; tho' thar appears but the half o't. I kin only
make out one hoss, an' one man, wi' suthin' astreetch long the groun--
one o' the squaws in coorse. The skunk on his feet air smokin'.
Strange they hain't lit a fire! True 'tain't needed 'ceptin' for the
cookin' o' thar supper. Maybe they've hed it, an' only kim hyar to get
a spell o' sleep. But ef thet's thar idee why shed yon 'un be stannin'
up. Wal; I guess, he's doin' sentry bizness, the which air allers
needcessary out hyar. How shell we act, Charley? Rush right up an'
tackle 'em? That's your way, I take it."

"It is--why not?"

"Because thar's a better--leastwise a surer to prevent spillin' thar
blood. Ye say, you don't want that?"

"On no account. If I thought there was a likelihood of it, I'd go
straight back to our camp, and leave them alone. They may be harmless
creatures, on some innocent errand. If it prove so, we musn't molest
them."

"Wal; I'm willin', for thet," rejoins Woodley, adding a reservation, "Ef
they resist, how are we to help it? We must eyther kill, or be kilt."

There is reason in this, and Clancy perceives it. While he is
cogitating what course to take, Woodley, resuming speech, points it out.

"'Thar's no use for us to harm a hair on thar beads, supposin' them to
be innercent. For all thet, we shed make sure, an' take preecaushin in
case o' them cuttin' up ugly. It air allers the best way wi redskins."

"How do you propose, Sime?"

"To surround 'em. Injuns, whether it be bucks or squaws, air slickery
as eels. It's good sixty yurds to whar they're squatted yonner. Ef we
push strait torst 'em, they'll see us crossin' that bit o' moonshine,
an' be inter the timmer like greased lightnin' through the branches o' a
gooseberry bush. Tho' out o' thar seddles now, an' some o' 'em
streetched 'long the airth, apparently sleepin', they'd be up an' off in
the shakin' o' a goat's tail. Tharefor, say I, let's surround 'em."

"If you think that the better way," rejoins Clancy, "let us. But it
will take time, and call for the greatest caution. To get around the
glade, without their seeing us, we must keep well within the timber.
Through that underwood