re a couple of light, nicely carved paddles.

John promptly pronounced the canoe a "regular macaroni" and laid down a
pair of brass buckles, signifying that he would give them for the skiff.

Capt. Pipe gravely shook his head.

"I'll add this," said Ree, and laid down a brand new hunting knife,
having a leather sheath.

The chief again shook his head, and a large number of Indians, who had
been lazily basking in the sun or idly paddling about the lake, and were
now gathered around to see the trade, also shook their heads.

"The thing isn't worth as much as we have offered," cried John, good
humoredly, "but I'll put in this," and he produced a large yellow silk
handkerchief, shaking it out, and holding it up to view in an attractive
manner.

Still Capt. Pipe shook his head and all his braves did the same, though
their eyes glistened.

Ree hesitated before adding more to their offer and while he did so, John
picked up the handkerchief and with no thought but to display it to good
advantage, turned to Gentle Maiden, who stood at her father's side. With
a quiet sweep of his hand he draped the bright cloth over the girl's
shoulder and arm.

The next instant a stinging blow struck him in the face and he staggered,
nearly falling. It was Big Buffalo's fist that had shot out at him.

John sprang toward the burly Indian and they grappled in a terrible
struggle. All had taken place so quickly that before Ree could reach
John's side, his friend's throat was in the redman's grasp and the breath
squeezed nearly out of him. Capt. Pipe also rushed in, and amid the yells
of the Indians, the chief and Ree soon separated the combatants.

The incident created so much excitement that the young Palefaces scarcely
knew what to do. But Ree's firm voice and quiet dignity, as he told the
chief that his friend had meant no offense, and should not have been
assaulted, had a quieting influence on the savages, and although John
could scarcely refrain from speaking the angry words he thought, he did
manage to hold his tongue, and Capt. Pipe soon restored order.

Big Buffalo slunk away like a whipped dog, as the chief berated him, and
the boys saw no more of him that day. How much better it would have been
had they never seen him again!

The bargain for the canoe was completed by Ree adding a second
handkerchief to their offer, as much as a peace offering as anything, and
then as it was growing late, and the disturbance had made the ques