said she saw him go after Watusk, and heard him make Watusk tell
the Indians not to be foolish, but go back to the teepees until
morning. But Watusk spoke to them half-heartedly and they did not
listen. It was Myengeen, Nesis said, who urged them to go across the
river, and break into the store.

"Nesis did not see what happened at the boat. The crowd was too great
for her to get near. But next morning when they came back she heard
Myengeen say to Watusk that Gordon Strange had sent word that they must
tie Ambrose Doane up and carry him away.

"She said it was soon known throughout the tribe that if the police
came everybody was to say that Ambrose Doane made all the trouble. She
said he was tied up and carried away on a horse.

"When they all got to the Kakisa River a week later she found that he
was imprisoned in Gordon Strange's house, and watched day and night."

So far the power of Colina's story had carried her hearers along
breathlessly with her. Not until she reached this point did a very
obvious question occur to the judge.

"One moment, Miss Gaviller," he said. "I presume you understand that
this story would have more weight as evidence if the girl Nesis was
produced in court. Can she be brought here?"

Once more Colina faltered--and steeled herself. Her eyes became misty,
but she looked directly at the judge. "My Lord," she said simply, "she
is dead."

CHAPTER XLII.

THE AVENGING OF NESIS.

His lordship started back thoroughly discomposed. "Really! Really!"
he murmured helplessly. The prisoner hid his face in his arms again.
An audible wave of compassion traveled over the room.

"Should I tell about that?" Colina asked quietly. The judge signified
his assent.

"On the third morning on the prairie," Colina continued, "the Indians
found us again. They had tracked us all the way from the Kakisa. They
did not attack us, but followed about a quarter of a mile behind.

"There were about fifty of them. Whenever we stopped to rest or eat,
they rode around us in a big circle yelling and firing their guns in
the air--trying to break our nerve."

A gasp escaped her hearers at the picture she evoked--three women on
the wide prairie, and a horde of yelling savages!

"I did not mind them so much," Colina went on simply, "for I was sure
they were too cowardly to attack us. But our food was all gone by this
time, and I could not leave the others to hunt for game. The horses
were com