in
the plains, for the horse--Indians seldom visited these rugged places,--
in fact, none but the searchers after mineral treasures were likely to
come into these toilsome regions. Hence it was then that the next night
the party were so wanting in vigilance.

Harry had been appointed to the latter half of the night, and after
diligently keeping guard through the earlier hours, Joses awakened his
successor, and fully trusting in his carrying out his duties, went and
lay down in his blanket, and in a few seconds was fast asleep.

That morning at sunrise, after a delicious night's rest, Bart rose to
have a look round before breakfast, when to his horror he saw that the
camp was apparently in the hands of the Indians, who had been allowed by
the negligent sentinel to approach while those who would have defended
it slept.

Bart's first movement was to seize his gun, his next to arouse the
Doctor.

Then he stopped short, sorry for what he had done, for just then, free
from all sling and stiffness in his wounded arm, their old friend the
chief came striding across the open space before the waggon, and upon
seeing Bart held out his hands in token of friendship.

Bart shook hands with him, and as he glanced round he could see that the
faces of those around were all familiar except one, whom the chief had
beckoned to approach, which the strange Indian did with a stately air,
when a short conversation between them and the chief took place, after
which the new-comer turned to Bart, and said in very fair English:

"The great chief Beaver-with-the-Sharp-Teeth bids me tell you that he
has been back to his people to fetch one of his warriors who can speak
the tongue of the pale-faced people, and I am that warrior. The great
chief Beaver-with-the-Sharp-Teeth says it is peace, and he comes to see
his friends and the great medicine-man, who brought him back to life
when wounded by the poisonous arrows of the Indian dogs of the plains."

"We are very glad to see Beaver-with-the-Sharp-Teeth again," cried Bart
heartily, "and delighted to find he has brought a great warrior who can
speak our language."

"So that it flows soft and sweet," said a hoarse voice, and Joses stood
up. "How are you, chief?"

The hearty, friendly look and extended hand needed no interpretation,
and the greeting between them was warm enough to bring smiles into the
faces of all the Indians, who had no scruple soon afterwards about
finishing the mountain