shouted, swinging his club as a player might a baseball bat.

Before the next rush, however, help came in an unexpected form. The tent
flap was pushed back and at the doctor's side stood an apparition that
checked the Indians' advance and stilled their cries. It was the Indian
boy, clad in a white night robe of Mandy's providing, his rifle in his
hand, his face ghastly in the moonlight and his eyes burning like flames
of light. One cry he uttered, weird, fierce, unearthly, but it seemed
to pierce like a knife through the stillness that had fallen. Awed,
sobered, paralyzed, the Indians stood motionless. Then from their ranks
ran Chief Trotting Wolf, picked up the rifle of the Indian who still lay
insensible on the ground, and took his place beside the boy.

A few words he spoke in a voice that rang out fiercely imperious. Still
the Indians stood motionless. Again the Chief spoke in short, sharp
words of command, and, as they still hesitated, took one swift stride
toward the man that stood nearest, swinging his rifle over his head.
Forward sprang the doctor to his side, his poplar club likewise swung up
to strike. Back fell the Indians a pace or two, the Chief following them
with a torrential flow of vehement invective. Slowly, sullenly the crowd
gave back, cowed but still wrathful, and beginning to mutter in angry
undertones. Once more the tent flap was pushed aside and there issued
two figures who ran to the side of the Indian boy, now swaying weakly
upon his rifle.

"My poor boy!" cried Mandy, throwing her arms round about him, and,
steadying him as he let his rifle fall, let him sink slowly to the
ground.

"You cowards!" cried Moira, seizing the rifle that the boy had dropped
and springing to the doctor's side. "Look at what you have done!" She
turned and pointed indignantly to the swooning boy.

With an exclamation of wrath the doctor stepped back to Mandy's aid,
forgetful of the threatening Indians and mindful only of his patient.
Quickly he sprang into the tent, returning with a stimulating remedy,
bent over the boy and worked with him till he came back again to life.

Once more the Chief, who with the Indians had been gazing upon this
scene, turned and spoke to his band, this time in tones of quiet
dignity, pointing to the little group behind him. Silent and subdued the
Indians listened, their quick impulses like those of children stirred
to sympathy for the lad and for those who would aid him. Gradually th