oder side Muddy Riber--won't come here."

Melville was inclined to credit this statement also. If Red Feather
spoke the truth, the rest of his band, numbering fully a score, were
twenty miles distant, and were not likely to appear in that part of the
country. Such raids as that on which they were engaged must of necessity
be pushed hard and fast. Even if the settlers do not instantly rally,
the American cavalry are quite sure to follow them, and the Indians have
no time to loiter. The rest of the band, if a score of miles away, were
likely to have their hands full without riding thus far out of their
course.

"Well," said Melville, after a moment's thought, as if still in doubt as
to what he ought to do, "I shall not hurt you--more than that, I will
help you to free yourself."

He leaned his gun against the table near him, and stepped forward and
placed his hands on the head and shoulders of the suffering prisoner.

"Oogh!" grunted Red Feather; "grow bigger--swell up fast--bimeby Red
Feather get so big, he die."

"I don't think it is as bad as _that_," remarked Melville, unable to
repress a smile, "but it will take some work to get you loose."

CHAPTER FOUR

THE CONSULTATION--ON THE ROOF

Melville now examined the fix of the chieftain more closely. His
struggles had hurt the skin about his neck and shoulders, and there
could be no doubt he was suffering considerably.

Clasping the dusky head with his hands, the youth turned it gently, so
that it offered the least possible resistance. Then he asked him to move
his shoulder slightly to the left, and, while Melville pushed carefully
but strongly, told him to exert himself, not hastily but slowly, and
with all the power at his command.

Resting a minute or two, the attempt was renewed and this time Red
Feather succeeded in withdrawing for an inch or two, though the effort
plainly caused him pain.

"That's right," added Melville, encouragingly; "we shall succeed--try it
again."

There was a vigorous scraping, tugging, and pulling, and all at once the
head and shoulders vanished through the window. Red Feather was released
from the vice.

"There, I knew you would be all right!" called the lad through the
opening. "Good-bye, Red Feather."

The chief must have been not only confused and bewildered, but
chagrined by the exhibition made before the lad and his own warriors,
who, had they possessed any sense of humor, would have laughed at the
sorry plig