nothing of the conflict which was raging in the chief's heart,
Constance sat upon the rough stool uncertain what to say. The
flickering light of the candle fell upon her puzzled face, while her
blue-veined hands lay clasped in her lap. It was a strange sight,
worthy of the brush of a master, this fair woman, the stately flower of
a dominant race, and the two old Indians, sere and withered, like
clinging leaves in late November.

"Pretty picture," Constance at length remarked, breaking the silence,
which was becoming painful.

"Good," answered the old man, lifting up his treasures with pride, and
handing them to her. "Beeg chief," he continued, much pleased at the
pale-face woman's interest. "You got all same peegee? You savvy 'um?"

Constance shook her head and smiled. "No, not like these. But I have
one here," and she drew forth Kenneth's picture from beneath her
jacket. "See."

The chief took it in his trembling hand, and held it up close to the
candle. Then he turned it over, examined it carefully, while a
surprised look passed over his face. Presently he reached to the left,
and drew towards him a buckskin bag, and fumbling in this brought out
the picture Pritchen had given him, the same one Jennie had copied.
Finding it was safe, he appeared more satisfied, but still seemed much
puzzled as he laid the two together and gazed earnestly upon them.

"All same peegee," he exclaimed at length. "You savvy 'um?"

"Yes," replied Constance, trembling with intense eagerness. "My
brother."

"Ah," came the slow, unsatisfactory response.

"You know him?" she continued.

The old man shook his head. "Me no savvy."

"But where you get picture?" she persisted, pointing to the photograph.

Still he shook his head, and looked intently into Constance's face, as
if to read the meaning of her words.

Suddenly a laugh filled the room, coarse and startling. It came from
the old woman, who had been an amused and silent spectator of the whole
scene. Then ensued an animated conversation between the aged pair,
and, as Constance listened, without understanding a word, she noticed
that the chief's face was clearing of its puzzled expression.

"Him no savvy," said the woman, turning to Constance. "Me savvy much.
Me talk all same white man."

"Then you will tell me where that picture came from," replied Constance
eagerly.

The woman chuckled and reached out a scrawny hand for the photograph.

"See um, peegee?"