id flight, in addition to
placing the rider at a disadvantage in case of attack, Deerfoot told
Whirlwind to pass out of the timber and wait for him. The horse
promptly obeyed, for he understood the whispered words. Then the youth
placed himself directly behind the horse, ready to fight off any and
all assailants, and followed the steed, thus forming his rear guard.

Between Deerfoot and the camp fire loomed the form of an Assiniboine
warrior. His sensitive ear had heard the soft neigh, and even the low
voice of Deerfoot. He knew that a thief was in the grove--he must have
thought he was a Nez Perce--and was making off with Whirlwind, who was
held in higher esteem than all the other horses together.

The Shawanoe saw that a fight was inevitable. He passed his rifle to
the right hand, over whose arm his blanket was resting, and drew his
hunting knife. Even in that crisis the chivalry of the Shawanoe would
not allow him to take full advantage of the situation. He could have
struck down his enemy without the least risk to himself. He chose
rather to give his antagonist warning.

"Dog of an Assiniboine!" he muttered in the Blackfoot tongue. "The
Shawanoe fears you not!"

The warrior leaped forward like a crouching tiger. He had caught sight
of the lithe form in the faint glow of the firelight, and he assailed
it with all the vicious vigor of his nature. The lightning-like blow of
his knife made a hissing sound as it cut the air and buried its point
in the blanket which Deerfoot thrust forward to receive it. Then the
Shawanoe delivered _his_ blow. Enough said.

Brief as was the terrific encounter, it occurred too close to camp for
the other Assiniboines to remain in doubt for a moment. Moreover, when
the victim of the Shawanoe's prowess went down not to rise again he
uttered an ear-splitting screech which echoed through the grove.

Deerfoot turned and ran among the trees after Whirlwind. From some
cause the stallion had changed his direction and was waiting on the
edge of the wood several rods from where his master emerged. The latter
glanced hastily around in the gloom without seeing him. He uttered a
low signal which the horse instantly obeyed, and with another neigh of
delight trotted to his master.

Deerfoot was about to vault upon his back, but hesitated. The sounds
indicated that the whole five Assiniboines had rushed to the spot and
were already within arm's reach of master and stallion. They would be
so near w