the other by the completeness of his
submission, doing that which was unexpected to his conqueror. The rifle
which he was holding in his right hand, when summoned to surrender, was
thrown on the ground; then the tomahawk was flung from the girdle, the
knife from the sheath, and all three lay beside each other on the
leaves. Not only that, but Lone Bear moved three steps backward and
signified to the Shawanoe that he was at liberty to come forward and
take them without molestation from him.

"Let my brother, Lone Bear, listen," said Deerfoot, lowering the left
hand which held the tomahawk aloft and resting it against his hip, where
it could be used the instant needed; "let the words of Deerfoot be
heeded, and it shall be well with Lone Bear; his rifle and tomahawk and
knife shall be given to him, and his brothers, the Pawnees, shall never
know he was vanquished by Deerfoot."

This was promising a great deal, and the Pawnee looked questioningly at
the other, though it could be seen that he placed much reliance on his
pledges.

"The ears of Lone Bear are open; he hears the words of the great
Deerfoot; his words reach his heart; what is it my brother, the mighty
Shawanoe, would say to him?"

It must have been that Lone Bear had some suspicion of the business of
Deerfoot, though it was impossible for him to know his full purpose
before Deerfoot made it known.

"My brother will be wise if he heeds the words of Deerfoot; he will
please the Great Spirit, for Deerfoot asks him to speak only with a
single tongue."

"Lone Bear will speak with a single tongue."

"Then," said Deerfoot, "he will make known the truth of the pale-faced
boy for whom the heart of Deerfoot mourns."

CHAPTER XXV.

LONE BEAR'S REVELATION.

Without hesitating a moment, the Pawnee made answer:

"Lone Bear speaks with a single tongue; he can not tell where the
pale-faced warrior is."

It might have been supposed that the Indian was trying to mislead
Deerfoot, but the latter saw his meaning and understood that it was his
anxiety to tell the truth which caused him to make answer as he did.

"How many suns ago did the Pawnee part with the pale-face?"

Lone Bear showed he was thinking. His brow wrinkled and he seemed to be
looking at something a mile behind the Shawanoe. Then he began counting
on his fingers, like a child solving some problem in addition. Seeing
that Deerfoot was watching him, he held up his left hand, with his
fingers s