ept up to a level with the renegade's breast. "He will never
press the grass trails again with his moccasins, and the white women
will sleep in peace with their papooses at their side. Parquatin's blood
must flow over the Whirlwind's; the new moon must smile upon his
carcass."

"Shoot and be done with it!" Girty said, without a quiver of the
muscles. "I am in your power, and as every man can't live over the time
which has been marked out for him, I am not going to play the baby
here."

They say that murderers are cowards. A greater murderer than James Girty
never cursed the early west; but not a single instance of cowardice
stands against his record. He looked into Parquatoc's rifle without
fear, and his countenance did not change when the Indian's cheek dropped
upon the stock.

It was a moment fraught with the wildest interest, and in the silence
the beating of hearts was heard.

But that tableau was rudely broken, and that by a white man who suddenly
threw himself into the cabin and pushed the rifle of the Seneca aside.

Every eye was turned upon him, and the tomahawks of the Indians leaped
from their belts.

"I hate that man with all my heart," the new comer cried, addressing the
Indians as he pointed to the renegade, surprised with the rest. "I
wouldn't spare his life but for a little while. He knows something which
I must know; then my red brother's rifle may send the bullet to his
heart."

Girty looked, stared into the speaker's face.

"Who are you?" he asked before the Indian could reply.

"My name is Catlett."

"A spy of Wayne's?"

"Yes."

The savages exchanged looks, and Parquatoc spoke:

"The Blacksnake's spy has no right to step between Parquatoc and his
captive," he said.

"No!" hissed the Shawnee.

"Stand aside!" continued the Seneca, menacingly.

But Harvey Catlett did not stir.

The Indians advanced upon him.

"Hold!" cried Oscar Parton. "He will join us! He will wear the mark
which you gave me."

"No white spy shall wear it!" was the reply.

Face to face with the two savages stood Wayne's young scout, composed
and unyielding. He intended to kill the first savage who raised a hand
against him.

But all at once James Girty moved from the wall. With one of his
powerful bounds, he hurled himself upon the spy, whom he sent reeling
against Parquatoc, and the next moment he was running for life through
the forest.

It was in vain that Oscar Parton and the Shawnee, the first to re