t of Mighty Hand!

Arnold and Holden were astounded at what they surmised to be some fresh
trick on the part of Thunder-maker, or some special form of the
impending ceremony. And at the same moment a loud cry broke from the
throats of the watching multitude.

"The fiery totem! The fiery totem!"

Then the Indians fell face downwards to the ground with fear.

Surely such a prodigy had never been seen before?

The sacred totem of the tribe had itself appeared, to warn the Dacotahs
that the fire was not to burn that night; that the two prisoners were
men, not evil spirits.

While the two men were standing watching the prostrate Indians, three
figures crept round an adjacent tent--two of whom then darted forward,
while the third followed at more dignified leisure.

"Bob!"

"Alf!"

These were the exclamations that burst from the lips of the captives as
two boys launched themselves forward to receiving arms. Then came the
dignified Skipper Mackintosh.

"You are saved, good sirs," he said, without waiting for an
introduction. "My good phosphorus paint and the brains o' these fine
laddies has called up the fiery totem. I'm thinking that there will be
no sacrifice to superstition the--night, and that you'll a' be on your
way back to Crane Creek the morn."

* * * * *

And when next day the time came for departure, and the fathers and sons
had made their arrangements with the good wishes and help of Mighty
Hand, Swift Arrow, and a host of eager redmen, it was Bob who was first
to notice that Skipper Mackintosh and the half-breed seemed in no haste
to accompany the party.

"Are you not coming with us?" the boy asked.

The Scot smiled and shook his head.

"No. I'm thinking to bide here for a few days, to hunt for yon hawk moth
that I told you aboot. Besides, when you're safe out of the way, I mean
to have a serious talk with Mighty Hand and his folk. I wouldn't have
them think that yon was a real fiery serpent. That would be idolatry. We
had to cheat them to save life, but--well, I'll no' leave the Dacotahs
until I've ceevilised them into believin' that the legend of the fiery
totem is false, and that there's better ways o' living than by believin'
such gowk's nonsense."

THE END

PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY MORRISON AND GIBB LIMITED, EDINBURGH

[Transcriber's Note:

The following corrections and changes were made:

*Passages in italics are in