ar's heart stood still,
as the tall form of an Indian warrior pushed past them into the
firelight.

CHAPTER IX.

AT MUCK-OTEY-POKEE.

Wahneenah did not lift her eyes. For the moment an unaccustomed fear
held her spellbound, and it was the Sun Maid's happy cry which roused
her at length, and restored them all to composure.

"Black Partridge! My own dear Feather-man!"

With a spring, the child threw herself upon the Indian's breast and
clasped his neck with her trustful arms. It was, perhaps, this
confidence of hers in the good-will of all her friends that made them
in return hold her so dear. Certain it was that the chief's face now
assumed that expression of gentleness which was the attribute small
Kitty ascribed to him, but which among his older acquaintances was not
considered a leading trait of his character. Just he always was, but
rather severe than gentle; and Wahneenah marked, with some surprise,
the caressing touch he laid upon the Sun Maid's floating hair as he
quietly set her down and himself dropped upon a ledge to rest.

"You are welcome, my brother. Though, at first, I feared it was some
alien who had discovered our cave."

"It is not the habit of the Happy to fear. She who forebodes danger
where no danger is but paves the way to her own destruction."

Wahneenah glanced at her brother sharply.

"It is the Truth-Teller himself who has put foreboding into my soul.
He--and the new-born love which the Sun Maid has brought."

The face of Black Partridge fell again into that dignified gravity
which was its habitual expression and he sat for a long time with the
"dream-look" in his eyes, gazing straightforward into the embers of
their little fire.

"Is you hungry, Feather-man? We did have such a beau'ful supper. Nice
Other Mother can cook fishes and cakes and--things. Shall she cook you
some fish, Black Partridge?"

"Will my chief eat the food I prepare for him?" asked Wahneenah,
seconding the child's invitation.

"With pleasure. For one hour he will let the cares of his life slip
from him. He will have this night of peace, and while the meal is
getting he will sleep."

With a sigh of relief the tall Indian moved a few steps back into the
cave and stretched himself at length upon the ground. His eyes closed,
and before Gaspar had made ready his line to catch the fresh trout he
had sunk into a profound slumber.

Wahneenah put her finger to her lip to signify silence, but she need
not ha