nly directed to the younger lad, whose
inadvertent remarks had cut so deeply into the savage pride.

But the redskin's mental observations were suddenly cut short by Bob,
who wheeled upon him with a sudden inspiration.

"Look here," he said quickly, though his voice was pleasant and almost
reassuring, "it is very good of you to travel so far to bring us this
news. We are glad to see you, and will try to give you a good present.
But we will settle our business first. So, give me the letter, and then
we will go to the tent and eat."

"Letter?"

The Indian repeated the single word in a puzzled tone.

"Yes; the one my father gave you," said Bob.

So mystified was Red Fox by the intelligence that apparently he had not
only been expected by the boys but that he had been looked for as the
bearer of a letter from the fathers to their sons, that he was
momentarily startled out of his caution in pretending an only slight
acquaintance with the English language.

He stared open-eyed at the question, and Bob continued evenly--

"Of course my father would send a letter if he wanted us. He would do
that to prove that his messenger was one whom we could trust. Did he
give you one?"

Red Fox was quite taken off his guard by the white boy's guile, but he
strove to cover his confusion by further lying.

"Yes--the white man send paper by hand of Red Fox, but--but Red Fox
foolish; he--lose letter--on trail----"

"But you are _sure_ you had one? It would be written--in red--with a red
pencil--a red paint-stick."

"My white brother speaks true," said the Indian.

"Of course he does!" chimed in Alf, to whom his chum's ruse was now
clear. "And if that letter was written in red and sent to us, we would
know where it came from, and would follow the messenger at once."

The Indian flashed a quick glance of hatred towards the last speaker,
but instantly lowered his eyelids again, as he returned with more
calmness than before--

"It is well. The pale-face did paint letter with red. But--Red Fox
foolish Indian. He lose letter on trail. He seek much--much--but no'
find."

The game of bluff had succeeded. Now the boys knew for certain that the
man was lying--that he had not been commissioned by either of their
parents, and both laughed derisively.

"Trapped!" exclaimed Holden triumphantly. "You've got him tight as a
rabbit in a gin, Bob."

How that sneering laughter scorched the redman's pride! It touched him
at the quick, and c