Howly do, broder?" was the salutation of the Sioux, whose dusky face
showed just the faintest smile.

Red Feather's descent of the chimney had not been without some
disagreeable features. His blanket and garments, never very tidy, were
covered with soot, enough of which had got on his face to suggest that
he had adopted the usual means of his people to show they were on the
war-path.

[Illustration: "A pair of moccasins groping vaguely about for support."]

His knife and tomahawk were thrust in his girdle at his waist, and
throughout this laborious task he had held his rifle fast, so that he
was fully armed.

"Howly do?" he repeated, extending his hand, which Melville was too
prudent to accept.

"No," he replied, compressing his lips, and keeping his finger on the
trigger of his gun, "Red Feather speaks with a double tongue; he is not
our friend."

"Red Feather been bad Injin--want white folks' scalp--don't want 'em
now--little pappoose pray to Great Spirit--_dat_ make Red Feather feel
bad--he hab pappoose--he lub Injin pappoose--lub white pappoose--much lub
white pappoose."

This remark shed light upon the singular incident. To Melville it was a
mystery beyond understanding that any person could look upon the sweet
innocent face of Dot without loving her. Knowing how vile an Indian Red
Feather had been, it was yet a question with the youth whether he could
find it in his heart to wish ill to his wee bit of a sister.

Was it unreasonable, therefore, to believe that this savage warrior had
been touched by the sight of the little one on her knees, with her hands
clasped in prayer, and by her eagerness to keep away all harm from him?

This theory helped to explain what took place after the release of Red
Feather from his odd imprisonment. The five warriors whom he had brought
with him upon his raid must have combated his proposal to leave the
children unharmed. In the face of his savage overbearing disposition
they had fought his wish to keep the pledge to them, while he as firmly
insisted upon its fulfilment.

But if such were the fact, how could his descent of the chimney be
explained?

Melville did not try to explain it, for he had no time just then to
speculate upon it; the explanation would come shortly.

The youth, however, was too wise to act upon that which he hoped was the
truth. He had retreated nearly to the other side of the room, where he
maintained the same defiant attitude as at first.

Red