rriors running for life
from the camp-fire in the open space satisfied the Pawnee that the youth
had done his best to kill them, and was amused to see their fright at
the moment when they were not in the slightest peril.

The Pawnee now purposely rustled the leaves with his moccasin. The
Shawanoe faced about like a flash. As he did so, Hay-uta, standing just
back of the captor, made a gesture to his friend. Deerfoot "caught on",
and dropped his hands to his side, to signify his surrender. He divined
the situation, and, schooled as he was in self-control, it was hard for
him to restrain a smile over the thought of the trick played on the
Pawnee. Probably no man was ever "fooled" to a more astounding extent
than he was at that moment.

The only thing feared by Deerfoot was that some of the other Pawnees
would soon reach the spot and complicate matters, but, while the
apparent conqueror was sanguine that he commanded the situation,
Deerfoot knew he was master from the first.

Looking straight at the Pawnee, he slowly said:

"My brother the Sauk is wise; his companion is a Pawnee; let no harm
befall him, for he has done no harm to us; but other Pawnees may soon be
here; let Hay-uta point his rifle at the Pawnee so that he will turn his
gun away from Deerfoot."

While speaking the Shawanoe kept his eyes fixed on those of the Pawnee,
who, of course, supposed the words were addressed to him. He could not
catch their meaning, but no doubt believed they referred to the
completeness of the surrender just made. Had he been an aboriginal
linguist, how different would have been his feelings!

Having dropped his hands, and spoken his sentences, Deerfoot waited the
action of Hay-uta.

The latter still held the hammer of his rifle at full cock, and he
instantly leveled it at the Pawnee, harshly ordering him to lower his
weapon.

The Pawnee was surprised. I am aware that this is stating it mildly, but
so would it be if I used the strongest words at command. He seemed
transfixed, and actually was unable to stir or even to lower his gun.
But the action of his companion told the truth, and it must be believed
that he was filled with biting chagrin because he was not acute enough
to know that the aliens (one of whom seemed to come from the east and
the other from the west) were allies.

However, the tables were turned and no choice was left him. Down came
his gun, the hammer was lowered and the stock dropped spitefully to the
gr