'The wigwam of Yellow Vulture wants but one ornament--the scalp of
the white chief. Yellow Vulture has seen the taunts calling the red
warriors "women with the hearts of deer." He will show the Paleface
that the anger of the dusky ones is a big heap-lot terrible. When
the sun has set behind the hills, and the stars light their
watch-fires, then will Yellow Vulture and his braves be at hand.
The scalp of the Paleface shall adorn the tepee of the Red Man.

'WAH-WAH!'

In order that there should be no possible mistake about the intention,
the message was supplemented by a rude representation of the process of
scalping, evidently the work of a practised hand.

'Didn't I tell you we had something jolly to show you!' exclaimed Jack.

But joy, or some equally powerful emotion, rendered the General
incapable of speaking for several moments.

ACT THE THIRD

WHERE IS THE GENERAL?

It was some little time before Clarence Tinling gave any opinion upon
this bloodthirsty document. He turned exceedingly red, and examined it
suspiciously on both sides. It seemed as if he did not altogether
welcome this second opportunity for distinguishing himself. When he
spoke it was with a sort of angry anxiety.

'You think yourselves very clever, I dare say,' he said; 'but you
needn't fancy you'll take me in! Come, you had better say so at
once--you did this yourselves? It is not half bad--I will say that for
it.'

'That we didn't,' cried Guy. 'Why, just look at it, Tinling. Any one
could see that it's an Indian's doing. No, it's all right; they really
are coming.'

'It's all skittles, I tell you,' said Clarence, still more angrily,
though he was paler again now. 'What should Indians come here for?'

'Well, he says why, there,' said Jack, 'and they came the other
evening.'

Clarence's colour rose again. 'That's different,' he said; 'I mean, it's
not the same tribe.'

'No, these are Black Bogallalas,' said Jack. 'What were the first ones,
Tinling?'

'I didn't ask them,' said the General shortly.

'How many braves should you think Wah Na What's-his-name will bring?'
asked Guy. 'As many as came the other evening? How many did come the
first time?'

'Do you think I had nothing better to do than count?' he retorted. 'Is
there anything else you would like to know?'

'Well, we'll hang out the lantern to-night, and watch how many come
inside its rays,' said Jack,