make a brave warrior."

"He shall be my brother," said the chief. "I will take him in place of
my brother who is dead."

There was a low murmur of approval. Even those who had first recommended
the infliction of death seemed to have changed their minds. They looked
at the boy as he lay stretched out upon the ground. He was stout,
comely, and strongly made. He had proved that he was an admirable rider.
If he should join them he would grow up into a warrior who would do
credit to their tribe.

So the matter was settled. The only thing that remained was to acquaint
the prisoner with the decision.

The interpreter approached Tom, and said, "White boy, you are our
captive. Why should we not kill you?"

"You can if you wish," answered Tom; "but why should you kill me? I have
done you no harm."

"Our brother is killed. He lies dead upon the plain."

"I did not kill him," said Tom.

"The white boy speaks truth. He did not kill our brother, but his white
friend took his life."

"You ought not to kill me for that," said Tom, gathering courage, for he
inferred he was to live.

"The white boy speaks truth, and therefore he shall live, but he must
join us. He must live with us, hunt with us, and fight for us."

"You want me to become an Indian!" ejaculated Tom.

"We will take you in place of the warrior that is gone," said the
interpreter.

Tom looked thoughtful. He did not enjoy the prospect before him, but it
was, at all events, better than death. While there was life there was
hope of escape. He concluded to make one appeal for freedom, and, if
that was denied, to accept the proposal.

"I have a father and mother far away," he said; "I have brothers and a
sister, who will mourn for me. My father is poor; he needs my help. Let
me go back to them."

The interpreter communicated Tom's words to his companions, but it was
easy to see that they were not favorably received. The original
advocates of the death penalty looked at our hero with hostile eyes, and
he saw that he had made a mistake.

"The white boy must become one of us; he must take our brother's place,
or he must die," said the interpreter.

Tom very sensibly concluded that it would be better to live with the
Indians than to be killed, and signified his acceptance of the offer.
Upon this the Indians formed a circle about him, and broke into a
monotonous chant, accompanied with sundry movements of the limbs, which
appeared to be their way of welcoming