ay that
serpent totem call them to Pleasant Valley, and there they burn unless
serpent appear to save them from fire." Here the Indian seemed to gather
strength, for, without allowing the horrified boy time for utterance, he
slightly raised himself and spoke with a flash of energy.

"But white boy brave--white boy good. He kind to Red Fox who would have
used cruel knife. But Red Fox no' papoose now. He know that white boy
too brave to suffer; Red Fox too bad to live. And he would save the
pale-face man--

"Go, my brother--go to the village of the Dacotahs and find
Thunder-maker, the Medicine Man. Tell him that Red Fox die sorry that he
made bad promise--that before he die he bid Thunder-maker speak true to
foolish Dacotahs, and tell that white men no' spirits. Thunder-maker
know. Thunder-maker can save white men, and----"

The last word choked in the Indian's throat. He gave a gasp, fell back
into Alf's arms, while his eyes looked up hungrily into the lad's face.

"Be brave!" whispered the boy. "Be brave, Red Fox. Manito waits for you.
I have forgiven you; He has forgiven you. All will be well."

"Red Fox understand. He--happy----" were the last words that the poor
misguided redman spoke, as he died gazing lovingly in his young friend's
tear-clouded eyes.

And it was thus that Bob found his chum--tenderly holding his red
brother in his arms while the great journey was taken to Manito's happy
land for the sorrowful.

CHAPTER XVIII

HOT ON THE TRAIL

It was a happy meeting for the two chums after the exciting events that
each had experienced. But it was rather sad, all the same; for even in
their joy at finding how both had come through their trials with but
little damage, they could not but regret the tragic end to poor Red Fox.

"He was a high-tempered chap," said Arnold, when he had listened to his
friend's story. "All the same, he must have had some good in him, since
he was so completely changed at the end."

"He seemed sorry enough," Alf rejoined. "And I must say that I feel
wretchedly sorry about the whole thing. In a way it was my fault--making
the remarks that I did. It never occurred to me that he would understand
a word----"

"As apparently he did. However, it can't be helped now. No doubt he had
some evil purpose all along, or he wouldn't have come to us with that
lie about being sent by your father and mine."

"At the same time it has taught me a lesson," said Alf. "I guess I'll
keep