is a fire up there; not much smoke does the same
give out, but it is climbing up the clear sky as straight as a mon's
finger."

"I take it that it means Indians; it seems to me they are all around
us."

"I agraas wid ye, but s'pose it is a fire that yer fayther has started
himsilf."

Warren shook his head.

"He would not do so imprudent a thing as that."

"But he moight have in his eye that we'd be looking for something of the
same."

Still his friend was unconvinced.

"He could not be certain that it would be noted by us, while he must
have known that it was sure to attract the attention of the Sioux. No;
I cannot be mistaken."

"Do ye want to pass it by widout finding out its maaning?"

"If it is father who has kindled the blaze, and he is looking for us, he
will find some way of telling us more plainly----"

"Do ye obsarve?" asked Tim, in some excitement.

Beyond question the approach of the two young horsemen had produced an
effect. The faint column of smoke which, until that moment, had climbed
perpendicularly up the sky, now showed a wavy appearance, vibrating from
side to side in graceful undulations, as though it were a ribbon swayed
by human hands. But Warren, instead of accepting this as did his
companion, regarded it as more indicative of danger. The Sioux that were
responsible for the ascending vapor were aware of the approach of the
couple, and were signalling the fact to others whose whereabouts was
unknown to the whites.

"Do ye moind," said Tim, "that two months since, whin we were hunting
along the Big Cheyenne and got separated from him and Plummer, he let
us know where they were in jist that way?"

It was a fact. Precisely the same signal had been used by the parent to
apprise his son and companion where he and Plummer were, though in that
instance it was the employe who adopted the method.

He was inclined for a few seconds to agree with his companion; but there
was something in the prominence of the artifice, and the certainty that
it would be noted by unfriendly eyes, that caused him to dismiss the
belief. Enough doubt, however, had been injected into his mind to bring
the desire for further investigation.

"We will ride straight toward it, as though we intended to go to the
camp or signal fire as it may be, but will turn aside before reaching
the ridge, so as to avoid the trap that may be set for us. I had an
experience yesterday afternoon something like that before you joined