he was
chatting cosily with some of his "old braves" when Rita and Ni-ha-be
drew near.

They beckoned to Red Wolf first.

"The talking leaves have told Rita all you wanted them to. She must
speak to father."

Red Wolf's curiosity was strong enough to make him arrange for that at
once, and even Many Bears himself let his face relax into a grim smile
as the two girls came timidly nearer the circle of warriors.

After all, they were the pets and favorites of the chief; they were
young and pretty, and so long as they did not presume to know more than
warriors and counsellors they might be listened to. Besides, there
were the talking leaves, and Rita's white blood, bad as it was for her,
might be of some use in such a matter.

"Ugh!"

Many Bears looked at the picture of the cavalry squad with a sudden
start. "No lie this time. Camp right here. Just so many blue-coats.
Just so many wagons. Good. Now where go?"

Rita turned the leaf, and her Indian father was yet more deeply
interested.

"Ugh! More blue-coats. Great many. No use follow. Get all killed.
Big guns. Indians no like 'em. Ugh!"

If the cavalry expedition was on its way to join a larger force, it
would indeed be of no use to follow it, and Many Bears was a cautious
leader as well as a brave one.

Rita's news was not yet all given, however, and when the eyes of the
chief fell upon the picture of the "treaty-making" he sprang to his
feet.

"Ugh! Big talk come. Big presents. Other Apaches all know--all be
there--all get blanket, gun, tobacco, new axe. Nobody send us word,
because we off on hunt beyond the mountains. Now we know, we march
right along. Rest horse, kill game, then ride. Not lose our share of
presents."

Rita could not have told him his mistake; and, even if she had known
it, she would have been puzzled to explain away the message of the
talking leaves. Did not every brave in the band know that that first
picture told the truth about the cavalry? Why, then, should they doubt
the correctness of the rest of it?

No, a treaty there was to be, and presents were to come from the red
man's "Great Father at Washington," and that band of Apaches must
manage to be on hand, and secure all that belonged to it, and as much
more as possible.

Red Wolf had nothing more to say about burning up leaves which had
talked so well, and his manner toward Rita was almost respectful as he
led her and Ni-ha-be away from the group of great