rtan young men lived together as soldiers in a common house,
eating rough food and doing the severest duty, and the whole
world has long applauded. The Sioux, who never heard of the
Spartans, have been doing the same far back into the shadowy
time. We, too, are a race of warriors."

Dick looked with renewed interest at the extraordinary man before
him, and an amazing suggestion found lodgment in his mind.
Perhaps the Sioux chief thought himself not merely as good as the
white man, but better, better than any other man except those of
his own race. It was so surprising that Dick forgot for a moment
the question that he was eagerly awaiting a chance to ask--where
was his brother Albert?

"I've always heard that the Sioux were brave," said Dick vaguely,
"and I know they are powerful."

"We are the Seven Fireplaces. What the Six Nations once were in
the East, we now are in the West, save that we are far more
numerous and powerful, and we will not be divided. We have
leaders who see the truth and who know what to do."

The pride in his tone was tinged now with defiance, and Dick
could but look at him in wonder. But his mind now came back to
the anxious question:

"Where is my brother Albert, who was taken with me? You have
not killed him?"

"He has not been hurt, although we are at war with your people,"
replied Bright Sun. "He is here in the village, and he, like
you, is safe for the present. Some of the warriors wished to
kill both you and him, but I have learned wisdom in these matters
from your people. Why throw away pawns that we hold? I keep
your brother and you as hostages."

Dick, who had raised himself up in his eagerness, sank back
again, relieved. He could feel that Bright Sun told the truth,
and he had faith, too, in the man's power as well as his word.
Yet there was another question that he wished to ask.

"Bright Sun," he said, "it was you, our guide, who led the train
into the pass that all might be killed?"

Bright Sun shrugged his shoulders, but a spark leaped from his
eyes.

"What would you ask of me?" he replied. "In your code it was
cunning, but the few and small must fight with cunning. The
little man, to confront the big man, needs the advantage of
weapons. The Sioux make the last stand for the Indian race, and
we strike when and where we can."

The conscience of the chief was clear, so far as Dick could see,
and there was nothing that he could say in reply. It was Brigh