l unarmed; and the renegade--whose hand
I most regarded--was now farther off, having gone round to the opposite
side of the fire. The situation was favourable, and for a moment I
stood straining upon the spring.

But my eye fell upon the spectators in the background; many of them were
directly in the way I should have to take; I saw that many of them
carried weapons--either in their hands, or upon their persons--and
Hissoo-royo himself was still too near.

I could never fight my way against such odds. I could not break such a
line--it would be madness to attempt it. Rube's counsel was again
ringing in my ears; and once more I abandoned the rash design.

CHAPTER NINETY SIX.

THE WHITE-HAIRED CHIEF.

There was an interval of silence--a dramatic pause--that lasted for more
than a minute.

It was ended by one of the council rising to his feet, and by a gesture
inviting Hissoo-royo to speak.

The renegade began:

"Red warriors of the Hietan! brothers! what I have to say before the
council will not require many words. I claim yonder Mexican girl as my
captive, and therefore as my own. Who denies my right? I claim the
white horse as mine--my prize fairly taken."

The speaker paused as if to wait for further commands from the council.

"Hissoo-royo has spoken his claim to the Mexican maiden and the white
steed. He has not said upon what right he rests it. Let him declare
his right in presence of the council!"

This was said by the same Indian who had made the gesture, and who
appeared to direct the proceedings. He was not acting by any superior
authority, which he may have possessed, but merely by reason of his
being the oldest of the party. Among the Indians, age gives precedence.

"Brothers!" continued Hissoo-royo, in obedience to the command--"my
claim is just--of that you are to be the judges; I know your true
hearts--you will not shut them against justice. I need not read to you
your own law, that he who makes a captive has the right to keep it--to
do with it as he will. This is the law of your tribe--of my tribe as
well, for yours is mine."

Grunts of approbation caused a momentary interruption in the speech.

"Hietans!" resumed the speaker, "my skin is white, but my heart is the
colour of your own. You did me the honour to adopt me into your nation;
you honoured me by making me first a warrior, and afterwards a
war-chief. Have I ever given you cause to regret what you have done?
Have I