me back. He put up his gun, turned quickly
away from the prostrate Indian, flung himself upon his horse and set off
swiftly for the camp. It was but a mile distant, but in the brief
time consumed in reaching it he had made up his mind as to his line of
action. Unless his men had captured the Sioux it was almost certain that
he had made his escape to the canyon, and once in the canyon there was
little hope of his being taken. It was of the first importance that he
should not appear too deeply concerned over his failure to take his man.

With this thought in his mind Cameron loped easily into the Indian camp.
He found the young braves in a state of feverish excitement. Armed with
guns and clubs, they gathered about their Chiefs clamoring to be allowed
to wipe out these representatives of the Police who had dared to attempt
an arrest of this distinguished guest of theirs. As Cameron appeared
the uproar quieted somewhat and the Indians gathered about him, eagerly
waiting his next move.

Cameron cantered up to Running Stream and, looking round upon the
crowding and excited braves, he said, with a smile of cool indifference:

"The Sioux snake has slid away in the grass. He has missed his
breakfast. My brother was about to eat. After he has eaten we will have
some quiet talk."

So saying, he swung himself from his saddle, drew the reins over his
horse's ears and, throwing himself down beside a camp fire, he pulled
out his pipe and proceeded to light it as calmly as if sitting in a
council-lodge.

The Indians were completely nonplussed. Nothing appeals more strongly
to the Indian than an exhibition of steady nerve. For some moments they
stood regarding Cameron with looks of mingled curiosity and admiration
with a strong admixture of impatience, for they had thought of being
done out of their great powwow with its attendant joys of dance and
feast, and if this Policeman should choose to remain with them all day
there could certainly be neither dancing nor feasting for them. In the
meantime, however, there was nothing for it but to accept the situation
created for them. This cool-headed Mounted Policeman had planted himself
by their camp-fire. They could not very well drive him from their camp,
nor could they converse with him till he was ready.

As they were thus standing about in uncertainty of mind and temper
Jerry, the interpreter, came in and, with a grunt of recognition, threw
himself down by Cameron beside the fire.