ever betrayed your trust?"

A volley of exclamations indicated a response in the negative.

"I have confidence, then, in your love of justice and truth; I have no
fear that the colour of my skin will blind your eyes, for you all know
the colour of my heart."

Fresh signs of approbation followed this adroit stroke of eloquence.

"Then, brothers! listen to my cause; I claim the maiden and the horse.
I need not tell where they were found, and how; your own eyes were
witnesses of their capture. There has been talk of a doubt as to who
made it, for many horsemen were in the pursuit. I deny that there is
any doubt. My lazo was first over the head of the horse--was first
tightened around his throat--first brought him to a stand. To take the
horse was to take the rider. It was my deed; both are my captives. I
claim both as my property. Who is he that disputes my claim? Let him
stand forth!"

Having delivered this challenge with a defiant emphasis, the speaker
fell back into his former attitude; and, once more folding his arms,
remained silent and immobile.

Another pause followed, which was again terminated by a sign from the
old warrior who had first spoken. This gesture was directed to the
crier, who the moment after, raising his shrill voice, called out:

"_Wakono_!"

The name caused me to start as if struck by an arrow. It was my own
appellation: I was Wakono!

It was pronounced thrice, each time louder than the preceding:

"Wakono! Wakono! Wakono!"

A light flashed upon me. Wakono was the rival claimant! He whose
breech-cloth was around my hips, whose robe hung from my shoulders,
whose plumed bonnet adorned my head, whose pigments disfigured my face--
he of the red hand upon his breast, and the cross upon his brow, was no
other than Wakono!

I cannot describe the singular sensation I felt at this discovery. I
was in a perilous position indeed. My fingers trembled among the
leaves. I released the branchlets, and let them close up before my
face; I dared not trust myself to look forth.

For some moments I stood still and silent, but not without trembling. I
could not steady my nerves under such a dread agitation.

I listened, but looked not. There was an interval of breathless
silence--no one seemed to stir or speak--they were waiting the effect of
the summons.

Once more the voice of the crier was heard pronouncing in triple
repetition: "Wakono! Wakono! Wakono!"

Again followed an