e down the high bank alone, and was greeted noisily
by our captors. It was the same Indian that had halted Captain Wells
the day previous; and he looked us over with a contemptuous sneer that
curled his lips and transformed the whole expression of his hideously
painted face. I noted that he paid but small heed to either De Croix
or myself, contenting his vengeance with sharp kicks at our prostrate
bodies; but as he came to Burns, he paused, bending down till he could
peer into the old borderer's upturned face.

"Bah! I know you," he said, brokenly. "You Ol' Burns. Stake down in
village for you."

The old man neither moved his head nor gave the slightest sign that he
had heard.

"Squaw eat heart," went on the Indian, prodding him with his stick;
"feed bones to dog. All white men go that way now,--Ol' Burns first."

"Topenebe," was the quiet reply, as the victim rolled over until he
half-sat against the bank, "I had the pleasure o' kickin' ye once down
on the Kankakee, an' should be mighty glad ter do it agin. I reckon as
how ye don't feel over friendly ter me, but ye 're simply wastin' yer
breath tauntin' me. Any time yer derned old fire is hot, I 'm ready to
dance."

These calm words angered the warrior, and he spat at him; then he
turned and grunted an order in his own language. With blows of their
sticks the Indians got us on our feet; but when they sought to drive us
up the steep bank to the prairie, Ol' Burns balked and absolutely
refused to move.

"Not one dern step, Topenebe," he swore grimly, "with these yere things
on my legs. I 'm no pony ter be hobbled, an' blame if I 'll jump 'long
fer any red-skin. Ye kin carry me, if ye ain't too lazy; but, by
thunder! thar 'll be no walkin' till ye cut them bonds."

Blows, curses, and threats failed alike to budge the old man. He
simply sat down and smiled grimly at them; and we followed his example,
dimly perceiving there must be a purpose in it. Sheer obstinacy wins
many a battle, and when we went up the bank our lower limbs were free,
although to my mind we were as hopelessly bound as ever. Not so with
Burns. I chanced to press close to him, as we came out upon the
prairie, and he muttered a quick word into my ear.

"See how they herd us in the shade of the Agency! They are not yet
ready to let the sojers know whut they're re'lly up to. Not an Injun
will go beyond thet line long enough to be seen. Be ready to run fer
it as soon as I say 'Go,'