d to convey
the information that under the red cloth was great medicine, found near
the "Thunderer's Nest," not far from the great and sacred red pipestone
quarry of the far north. The mention of this Mecca of the Indians,
sacred in almost every system of Indian mythology, made a great
impression on the medicine man and it was all he could do to keep his
avaricious fingers off the cloth and wait until Franklin's discourse was
finished. The orator wound up almost in a whisper.

"Here is a sour water that has the power to foretell peace or war," he
declaimed, tragically. "There are two powders, found by the chief of the
Hurons, under the very nest of the Thunder Bird. They look alike, yet
they are different. One has no taste and if it is put into some of the
sour water the water sleeps and tells of peace; but if the other, which
has a taste, is put in the medicine water, the water boils and cries for
war. It is powerful medicine and always works."

The eyes of the red fakir gleamed, for with him often lay the decision
as to peace or war, and in this respect his power was greater even than
that of a chief. After a short demonstration with the water, to which
had been added a few drops of acid, the two powders, one of which was
soda, were tested out. The medicine man slipped his presents under his
robe, placed his fingers on his lips and strode away. When the next
Comanche war-council was held he would be a dominating figure, and the
fame of his medicine would spread far and wide over the Indian country.

"Got him, body an' soul!" chuckled Franklin, rubbing his hands. "Did ye
see his mean ol' eyes near pop out when she fizzed? He saw all th' rest
o' th' stuff an' he won't rest till he gits it all; an' he won't git it
all till his tribe or us has left. He plumb likes th' fizz combination,
an' mebby would want to try it out hyar an' now. Thar won't be no
trouble with _these_ Injuns this trip."

"An' that thar black sand ye gave him," laughed Hank, leaning back
against a wagon wheel, "that looks like powder, so he kin make his spell
over real powder, slip th' sand in its place, an' show how his medicine
will fix th' powder of thar enemies so it won't touch off! Did ye see
th' grin on his leather face, when he savvied that? He's a wise ol'
fakir, _he_ is!"

Tom grinned at Franklin. "Hank, here, has got th' medicine men o' th'
Piegan Blackfeet eatin' out o' his hand. Every time th' Crows git after
him too danged hot he head