that had ever taken
place in the history of the Blackfoot nation. Because of the circuitous
course taken by George and Victor Shelton, Mul-tal-la saw nothing of
them and never learned of the humorous appendix to the tragedy.

The sight of the Shawanoe returning told who was victor, and a few
brief words between the two, as they met, made known that he had spared
the life of the chief, who slunk silently off in the solitude, no one
but himself knew whither. It was this flight that was on the mind of
Deerfoot and Mul-tal-la, for each felt that momentous consequences were
to flow therefrom.

The four friends were once more gathered in the home of the guests of
the Blackfoot tribe. Each knew a crisis was at hand that might compel
them, on the edge of the severe northern winter, to depart for other
quarters, and the flight, perhaps, would become impossible because of
the ferocious rage of the humiliated chieftain.

The Shelton brothers acted the part of listeners, sensibly feeling that
they could contribute nothing to the discussion between Mul-tal-la and
Deerfoot; but no speakers could have asked for more deeply interested
auditors than they.

"Taggarak has not come back," said the Blackfoot. "Mul-tal-la stopped
at his lodge, and his squaw said she had seen naught of him since this
morning."

"She does not know what took place?" was the inquiring remark of
Deerfoot.

"She could not, for he kept his word and told no one before, and,"
grimly added the Blackfoot, "he would not tell anyone afterward."

"What does she think?"

"That he has gone to one of the other villages. Taggarak is a silent
man, and he sometimes departs in the middle of the night, without
saying a word to anyone. He may be gone for weeks, and no one here will
know anything of it until he returns."

"What does Mul-tal-la think?"

"He knows not what to think. If Taggarak is not here to-morrow, then he
will believe the chief is visiting his other warriors."

"Does he not summon his other chiefs to come to him?"

"Often; they meet at the Big Lodge. They talk together, when they are
making ready to go on raids among other tribes, and Taggarak gives them
his commands; but he likes to appear in their villages when they do not
look for his coming. What does my brother believe the chief will do
when he comes back?"

The Shawanoe waited for a minute or two before replying:

"There is a mist in the eyes of Deerfoot and he cannot see clearly.
Taggara