ed them and cared for
them and ruled them without favor and without fear! Five hundred red
coats of the Great White Mother across the sea, men who had never been
known to turn their backs upon a foe, who laughed at noisy threats and
whose simple word their greatest chief was accustomed unhesitatingly to
obey! Small wonder that the mere mention of the name of those gallant
"Riders of the Plains" should fall like a chill upon their fevered
imaginations. The Sioux was conscious of that chill and set himself to
counteract it.

"The Police!" he cried with unspeakable scorn, "the Police! They will
flee before the Indian braves like leaves before the autumn wind."

"What says he?" cried Cameron eagerly. And Jerry swiftly interpreted.

Without a moment's hesitation Cameron sprang to his feet and, standing
in the dim light at the entrance to the cave, with arm outstretched and
finger pointed at the speaker, he cried:

"Listen!" With a sudden start every face was turned in his direction.
"Listen!" he repeated. "The Sioux dog lies. He speaks with double
tongue. Never have the Indians seen a Policeman's back turned in
flight."

His unexpected appearance, his voice ringing like the blare of a trumpet
through the cavern, his tall figure with the outstretched accusing arm
and finger, the sharp challenge of the Sioux's lie with what they all
knew to be the truth, produced an effect utterly indescribable. For
some brief seconds they gazed upon him stricken into silence as with a
physical blow, then with a fierce exclamation the Sioux snatched a rifle
from the cave side and quicker than words can tell fired straight at
the upright accusing figure. But quicker yet was Jerry's panther-spring.
With a backhand he knocked Cameron flat, out of range. Cameron dropped
to the floor as if dead.

"What the deuce do you mean, Jerry?" he cried. "You nearly knocked the
wind out of me!"

"Beeg fool you!" grunted Jerry fiercely, dragging him back into the
tunnel out of the light.

"Let me go, Jerry!" cried Cameron in a rage, struggling to free himself
from the grip of the wiry half-breed.

"Mak' still!" hissed Jerry, laying his hand over Cameron's mouth.
"Indian mad--crazy--tak' scalp sure queeck."

"Let me go, Jerry, you little fool!" said Cameron. "I'll kill you if you
don't! I want that Sioux, and, by the eternal God, I am going to have
him!" He shook himself free of the half-breed's grasp and sprang to his
feet. "I am going to get him!"