I knew that if the grove was to be searched, I should have
no chance of remaining longer concealed. The dress of Wakono was
conspicuous; I saw that there was none other like it: no other wore a
robe of jaguar-skins, and this would betray me. Even the paint would
not avail: I should be led into the firelight; the counterfeit would be
detected. I should be butchered upon the spot--perhaps tortured for the
treatment we had given the true Wakono, which would soon become known.

My apprehensions had reached the climax of acuteness, when they were
suddenly relieved by some words from the Spanish wolf.

"Why search for Wakono?" cried he; "Wakono knows his own name; it has
been called and loud enough. Wakono has ears--surely he can hear for
himself, if he be in the camp. Call him again, if you will!"

This proposition appeared reasonable. It was adopted, and the crier
once more summoned the young chief by name.

The voice, as all perceived, could have been heard to the farthest
bounds of the camp, and far beyond.

An interval was allowed, during which there reigned perfect silence,
every one bending his ears to listen.

There came no answer--no Wakono appeared to the summons.

"Now!" triumphantly exclaimed the renegade, "is it not as I have said?
Warriors! I demand your judgment."

There was no immediate reply. A long pause followed, during which no
one spoke, either in the circle or among the spectators.

At length the oldest of the council rose, re-lit the calumet, and, after
taken a whiff from the tube, handed it to the Indian seated on his left.
This one, in like manner, passed it to the next, and he to the next,
until the pipe had made the circuit of the fire, and was returned to the
old warrior who had first smoked from it.

The latter now laid aside the pipe, and in a formal manner, but in a
voice inaudible to the spectators, proposed the question.

The vote was taken in rotation, and was also delivered _sotto voce_.
The judgment only was pronounced aloud.

The decision was singular, and somewhat unexpected. The jury had been
moved by a strong leaning towards equity, and an amicable adjustment
that might prove acceptable to all parties.

The _horse_ was adjudged to Wakono--the _maiden_ was declared the
property of the Spanish wolf!

CHAPTER NINETY EIGHT.

A ROUGH COURTSHIP.

The decision appeared to give satisfaction to all. A grim smile, upon
his face testified that the renegade himself