r the terrible Blackbeards with him would cause the whole
forest to fly apart in smoke and flame. Since he walks in peace to visit
his friend Umanuh, of whose wisdom he has heard, he brings only his
friends the Mayorunas, who are friends also to the men of the Red
Bones."

Another pause. The old man now seemed somewhat uncertain of himself. The
silent duel between McKay and Umanuh went on. At length the chief's eyes
flickered a trifle. In a hissing whisper he said something.

"The men of the Mayorunas never come to this country unless seeking
something," the interpreter promptly spoke up. "What do they seek?"

"Only that which Makkay seeks."

Then, turning to the captain, the Brazilian added: "Capitao, we now have
reached the point to talk business. Have you any presents? And is it
your wish to give them now or later?"

"I have a few things. But I'll give them later--if at all. This chief is
hostile. Tell him what we're here for and see how he acts."

"It has come to the ears of Makkay," Lourenco informed the man of
Umanuh, "that a man of the Blackbeards lives among the men of the Red
Bones. Makkay would see that man."

Again the interpreter awaited his master's voice before answering.

"No man of the Blackbeards is among the men of Umanuh," he then denied.

"If he is not among them he is near them," was Lourenco's certain reply.
"He has been seen both by other Blackbeards and by the Mayorunas. I,
too, have seen him. He bears on his bones the sign that his mind is out
of his skull. His eyes are green and his hair touched with white. Umanuh
and his men know well that I speak true."

The pause this time was longer than before.

"There was such a man, but he is gone."

"Then Makkay asks his friend Umanuh to find that one. A chief so wise
can easily find him where others would see only water and mud."

"If he could be found what would the great Blackbeard leader do with
him?"

Lourenco thought swiftly. To say the Raposa was McKay's friend would do
little good. Friendship meant nothing to this unfeeling brute. Therefore
the bushman insinuated something which his cruel mind could comprehend.

"If a Red Bone man abandoned his people and went to another tribe, what
would Umanuh do to him when he was found?"

A cold glimmer in the chief's eyes showed that he thought he understood.
Moreover, he would much like to see what sort of torture this hard-faced
Blackbeard would use on a fugitive. It might be something e