alking. To a gentleman I talk as a gentleman, and to a brute as a
brute."

"And a brute you consider me. Is that it?"

"Not altogether. I could not imagine a brute of a man having such a
daughter as you are blest with. There must be something good about
you, but just what it is, I have not yet discovered. But, there, I
have said enough. I want to know why you brought me here. I am not a
child nor a fool, neither am I a criminal, and I do not wish to be
treated as if I were one of them."

"You had better be careful how you speak," Weston warned. "You are in
my hands, remember, and I can do what I like with you."

"Can you? But who gave you authority over the lives of others? Did
you not assume it yourself? And to aid you in your work of terrorizing
people, you have gathered around you a band of Indians, who obey your
slightest command."

"Talk all you like," and again Weston smiled. "Your boldness and
impudence are refreshing after the craven spirits which have appeared
before me in the past. But you will change your tone when you face the
Ordeal."

"Act like Curly did last night? Is that what you mean?"

"What! did you hear him?"

"How could anyone help hearing him? I thought he would uproot the
trees with his yells. What were you doing to him? Sticking pins in
him?"

"You seem to treat the Ordeal as a joke," and Weston looked keenly at
the young man.

"And why shouldn't I? In fact, I consider you and your tom-foolery as
the biggest joke I ever heard."

"But it was no joke to Curly."

"Apparently not, judging by the noise he made. What did you do with
him?"

"What did I do with him! Just wait until you see the blackened tree to
which he was bound, and then you won't ask such a question."

"I can readily understand how Curly would blacken anything he touched,
even a tree. But you didn't burn him. Such a diabolical thing is not
in your makeup."

"What did I do with him, then?"

"Scared him almost out of his wits, and then let him go."

"How did you learn that?" Weston demanded. "Have the Indians been
telling you anything?"

"I don't have to depend upon the natives for common sense. I have a
little left yet, thank God, and reason tells me that Curly is now
beyond the Golden Crest, cursing and vowing vengeance upon you and your
associates."

"And no one told you all this?" Weston inquired. "Are you sure?"

"Certain. No one told me a word. You have your Indians well trai