on the left, a burly black-browed giant who hated all
white men with a bitter hatred, raised a heavy club with a vicious
swing. Ere it could descend Bullen sprang at him and blew from his
mouth a cloud of froth full in the giant's face. The latter staggered
back, dropped his club, clapped both hands to his eyes and uttered a
yell of terror. Then the little man folded his arms and walked
composedly down the long lane, making a snarling, gurgling noise in his
throat and frothing at the mouth as though he had indeed been smitten
with the peculiar form of madness for which he had just wished.

A great fear fell on the assemblage as one and all recalled the tales
of this white man's magic power. Not a hand was lifted against him as
he passed, and the awe-stricken savages drew back at his approach as
though he had been plague-stricken. So he made his unmolested way to
the very end of the lane, his enemies parting before him, but crowding
behind and following him with an eager curiosity.

At length he paused and gazed with mingled horror and rage at something
that barred his further progress. On two logs, between which burned a
small fire, was set his own bath-tub. The water with which it was half
filled was just beginning to simmer, and near at hand was a pile of dry
wood cut into short lengths. In an instant the awful meaning of these
preparations flashed across his mind. They intended to boil him alive!
For a moment he felt sick and dizzy. All things spun in a mad whirl
before his blurred vision, and he feared his senses were departing.
Recovering himself by a supreme effort of will, and animated by an
access of fury, he sprang forward, overturned the tub, so that its
contents were poured on the hissing flames, instantly extinguishing
them, and hurled it to one side. Then clearing his mouth of the last
of the frothy matter which had been produced by chewing a bit of soap,
the little man turned and confronted his tormentors.

Angry murmurs rose among them and deepened into a confused clamor.
Some were for killing him at once, but the majority dared not. Neither
were they willing that he should go free, nor was one found bold enough
to adopt him as husband, brother, or son, as by Indian custom any had
the right to do who felt so inclined. The discussion was finally ended
by the black-browed giant who had been the object of Bullen's attack
and who still smarted from the indignity. Silencing the clamor, with
an