ed by one of
the returning braves who was evidently reciting the story of their
experiences and whose tale was received with the deepest interest and
was punctuated by mad cries and whoops. The one English word that could
be heard was the word "Police," and it needed no interpreter to
explain to the watchers that the chief object of fury to the crowding,
gesticulating Indians about the fire was the Policeman who had been the
cause of their humiliation and disappointment. In a pause of the uproar
a loud exclamation from an Indian arrested the attention of the band.
Once more he uttered his exclamation and pointed to the tent lately
occupied by the ladies. Quickly the whole band about the fire appeared
to bunch together preparatory to rush in the direction indicated, but
before they could spring forward Trotting Wolf, speaking rapidly and
with violent gesticulation, stood in their path. But his voice was
unheeded. He was thrust aside and the whole band came rushing madly
toward the tent lately occupied by the ladies.

"Get back from the door," said the doctor, speaking rapidly. "These
chaps seem to be somewhat excited. I wish I had my gun," he continued,
looking about the tent for a weapon of some sort. "This will do," he
said, picking up a stout poplar pole that had been used for driving the
tent pegs. "Stay inside here. Don't move till I tell you."

"But they will kill you," cried Moira, laying her hand upon his arm.
"You must not go out."

"Nonsense!" said the doctor almost roughly. "Kill me? Not much. I'll
knock some of their blocks off first." So saying, he lifted the flap of
the tent and passed out just as the rush of maddened Indians came.

Upon the ladies' tent they fell, kicked the tent poles down, and,
seizing the canvas ripped it clear from its pegs. Some moments they
spent searching the empty bed, then turned with renewed cries toward the
other tent before which stood the doctor, waiting, grim, silent, savage.
For a single moment they paused, arrested by the silent figure, then
with a whoop a drink-maddened brave sprang toward the tent, his rifle
clubbed to strike. Before he could deliver his blow the doctor, stepping
swiftly to one side, swung his poplar club hard upon the uplifted arms,
sent the rifle crashing to the ground and with a backward swing caught
the astonished brave on the exposed head and dropped him to the earth as
if dead.

"Take that, you dog!" he cried savagely. "Come on, who's next?" he