the word of the Big Buffalo is a word that
has never been broken. My brother will be a friend. He will watch
close, and to-night, when the dark has come, he will let his knife
touch the thongs that hold the White Chief captive."

The Indian's face was without expression. Menard watched him closely,
but could not tell whether his offer was taking effect. What he had no
means of knowing was that since the battle at the hut, and the short
fight in the council-house, the younger braves had centred their
superstitions on him. It was thought that his body was occupied by
some bad spirit that gave him the strength of five men, and that he
had been sent to their village by a devil to lure the warriors into
the hands of the French. These were not the open views that would have
been heard at a council; they were the fears of the untried warriors,
who had not the vision to understand the diplomacy of the chiefs, nor
the position in the village to give them a public hearing. They had
talked together in low tones, feeding the common fear, until a few
words from the Long Arrow had aroused them into action. And so this
guard was between two emotions: the one a lust for wealth and position
in the tribe, common to every Indian and in most cases a stronger
motive than any of the nobler sentiments; the other an unreasoning
fear of this "bad doctor," the fear that to aid him or to accept furs
from him would poison the ears of his own Oki, and destroy his chance
of a name and wealth during his life, and of a long, glorious hunt
after death.

"My brother shall come with me to the land of the white men, where
there is no trouble,--where he shall have a great lodge like the white
chiefs, with coloured pictures in gold frames, and slaves to prepare
his food. He shall be a great chief among white men and redmen, and
his stores shall be filled to the doors with furs of beaver and
seal."

Menard's voice was so low and deliberate that the Indian did not
question his statements. He was tempted more strongly than he had ever
been tempted before, but with the desire grew the fear of the
consequences. As for the Captain, he was clutching desperately at this
slender chance that lay to his hand.

"I have given my brother his choice of greater power than was ever
before offered to a youth who has yet to win his name. The stroke of a
knife will do it. No one shall know, for the Big Buffalo can be
trusted. My brother has it before him to be a red chief