f deerskin that
was covered with many strange designs, and crept with the sly movements
of a prowling wolf among the various teepees. Reaching the farther side
of the camp, he stopped in front of one of the tents that stood a little
way apart from the others. Gently he raised the flap and looked in. An
Indian of gigantic size was sitting by himself, adjusting his leggings
and moccasins. He looked up to observe his visitor, and it was
noticeable that as he did so Thunder-maker winced as though he were in
pain.

There were few who could look upon that man's face without wincing. In
early scalping-days it had been slashed on one side with a
scalping-knife in such a way that the left eye was totally destroyed,
and a livid scar ran from the eyebrow to the neck--drawing the flesh
into creases that robbed that part of the face of any semblance to
humanity. The other side was whole, but the entire expression was so
horrible that even familiarity did little to prevent repulsion in the
senses of the beholder.

"Thunder-maker is welcome to the tent of Red Fox," the Indian remarked,
returning again to the completion of his wardrobe.

"Thunder-maker would speak wise words with his brother," said the
Medicine Man, entering, but not deigning to sit in the tent of that
"brother." He seldom paid that honour to any teepee except his own and
that of the chief.

"It is well," returned the other man. "Red Fox will gladly hear the wise
words the Thunder-maker will speak."

The Medicine Man did not waste any time in needless palaver. The hours
were precious to him, and even an Indian can cut time when his business
is pressing.

"Red Fox is great warrior; Red Fox have eyes like father of his name,"
he said. "There is good work for Red Fox to do."

The listener had broken the cord of a moccasin, and was apparently
concentrating all his attention on knotting the break. But his attention
was mainly given to Thunder-maker all the same, and the latter knew it,
so he continued--

"Thunder-maker have rich robe of ermine--better robe than Mighty Hand
wear. Many dollars as leaves in tree not buy the robe of Thunder-maker.
Yet--Red Fox may wear it."

"Huh! Red Fox poor. He not have dollars to buy new traps for hunting."

That was what the Indian said. He pretended that he thought the Medicine
Man had come to trade. But he knew differently, and waited for the
visitor to "show his hand." Whatever bargain was to be proposed, he knew
that his