soul than one would
expect to find in his slender frame. For I might be throwing him over
to fiendish torment. The Indian women were cruel as weasels, and more
ingenious in their trap-setting than the men. It cooled my blood to
think what Singing Arrow's friendliness might really mean.

The prisoner heard me without flinching. "But what is Singing Arrow's
motive?" he asked, with his mournful eyes full on my own. "We cannot
read men's hearts, but, after all, there are but few springs that rule
their action. You know that I will be loyal to you to save my head, to
which, though it has served me badly, I yet cling. I know that you
will be loyal to me because I see that God gave you a softness of heart
which your brain tells you is unwise. But what string pulls this
Indian that she should be a traitor to her people? If you will give me
a hint, I will play upon it as best I can."

I could only shrug. "It may be my man, Pierre," I hazarded. "He is
red as a flamingo, and a fool into the bargain; but he has shoulders
like an ox, so the women want him. I can see no other motive. Will
you trust to that, monsieur?"

He looked back at me with the flicker of a smile. "It is sufficient."

I do not like smiles that I cannot understand, so I changed the
subject. "The plan is simple, monsieur," I said briskly. "Singing
Arrow will come to the window, and you are to make love to her. After
a time--not too long--you are to beguile her inside. I think the
guards will be complaisant, if you play your part well. Be as debonair
as possible. A soldier is always tempted to be lenient to a jaunty
foe."

The prisoner nodded. "And you will meet me?"

"Outside in the camp. I shall stand near a fire, so that you can find
me at once. Remember, monsieur, that you are Singing Arrow, and that
it will be your cue to follow me, and mine to shrug you away."

The Englishman drew a long breath. "I am ready, monsieur," he said,
with a little squaring of the shoulders, and I saw that, mortal danger
that he was in, his spirit yet responded to the touch of comedy in the
game.

I saluted him with a laugh of my own. "Then I will go, monsieur. Go
into the next room to change your clothing, or the guard may come in
and find you. One thing more. Remember you have overpowered Singing
Arrow, and taken your disguise by force. It may be well to lock her in
that inside room before you leave; but do as you like. I leave details
to yo