said Dick boldly.

Bright Sun, who had permitted himself a smile a little while ago,
now permitted himself a soft laugh.

"You put it well," he said in his precise English, "'if we
can.' But the understanding is clear. The agreement is at an end.
However, you will not escape. We need you as hostages, and
I will tell you, too, that we leave this village and valley
to-morrow. We begin a great march."

"I am not surprised," said Dick.

Bright Sun rejoined the other chiefs, and all of them went back
into the lodge of the Akitcita, while Dick and Albert returned to
their own little tepee. There, as each lay on his rush mat, they
talked in whispers.

"What meaning do you give to it, Dick?" asked Albert.

"That all the Sioux tribes are going to make a mighty effort
against our people, and they're going to make it soon. Why else
are they holding this great council of the Seven Fireplaces? I
tell you, Al, big things are afoot. Oh, if we could only find a
chance to get away!"

Albert rolled over to the door of the lodge and peeped out.
Several warriors were pacing up and down in front of the rows of
tepees. He rolled back to his rush mat.

"They've got inside as well as outside guards now," he whispered.

"I thought it likely," Dick whispered back. "Al, the best thing
that you and I can do now is to go to sleep."

They finally achieved slumber, but were up early the next morning
and saw Bright Sun's words come true. The village was dismantled
with extraordinary rapidity. Most of the lighter lodges were
taken down, but how much of the place was left, and what people
were left with it, the boys did not know, because they departed
with the warriors, each riding a bridleless pony. Although
mounted, their chance of escape was not increased. Warriors were
all about them, they were unarmed, and their ponies, uncontrolled
by bridles, could not be made to leave their comrades.

Dick and Albert, nevertheless, found an interest in this journey,
wondering to what mysterious destination it would lead them.
They heard behind them the chant of the old women driving the
ponies that drew the baggage on poles, but the warriors around
them were silent. Bright Sun was not visible. Dick surmised
that he was at the head of the column.

The clouds of the preceding night had gone away, and the day was
cooler, although it was now summer, and both Dick and Albert
found a certain pleasure in the journey. In their present
of