-ale, horrified at the pipe, and delighted at the complete
absorption of the children.

"Rather!" said the great Chief, with a sad relapse into the normal. "I
suppose that is why they love it so. Now, then, warriors, we go forth on
the war-trail. One whoop all together before we start. Capital! Follow
me, now, one behind the other. Not a sound! If one gets separated from
the others let him give the cry of a night owl and the others will answer
with the squeak of the prairie lizard."

"What sort of a squeak, please?"

"Oh, any old squeak will do. You don't walk. Indians trot on the war-
path. If you see any man hiding in a bush kill him at once, but don't
stop to scalp him--"

"Really, dear!" from the corner.

"The great Queen would rather that you scalp him. Now, then! All ready!
Start!"

Away went the line of figures, Daddy stooping with his rifle at the
trail, Laddie and Dimples armed with axes and toy pistols, as tense and
serious as any Redskins could be. The other two rather more
irresponsible but very much absorbed all the same. The little line of
absurd figures wound in and out of the furniture, and out on to the lawn,
and round the laurel bushes, and into the yard, and back to the clump of
trees. There Daddy stopped and held up his hand with a face that froze
the children.

"Are all here?" he asked.

"Yes, yes."

"Hush, warriors! No sound. There is an enemy scout in the bushes ahead.
Stay with me, you two. You, Red Buffalo, and you, Black Bear, crawl
forward and settle him. See that he makes no sound. What you do must be
quick and sudden. When all is clear give the cry of the wood-pigeon, and
we will join you."

The two warriors crawled off in most desperate earnest. Daddy leaned on
his gun and winked at the Lady, who still hovered fearfully in the
background like a dear hen whose chickens were doing wonderful and
unaccountable things. The two younger Indians slapped each other and
giggled. Presently there came the "coo" of a wood-pigeon from in front.
Daddy and the tribe moved forward to where the advance guard were waiting
in the bushes.

"Great Chief, we could find no scout," said Laddie.

"There was none person to kill," added Dimples.

The Chief was not surprised, since the scout had been entirely of his own
invention. It would not do to admit it, however.

"Have you found his trail?" he asked.

"No, Chief."

"Let me look." Daddy hunted about with a look of pr