face from the fire while his eyes searched the old
Chief's impassive countenance.

"No," said Crowfoot. "Not for many days. Onawata bad man--make much
trouble."

"The big war is going on good," said Cameron, abruptly changing the
subject.

"Huh?" inquired Crowfoot, looking up quickly.

"Yes," said Cameron. "At Fish Creek the half-breeds and Indians had a
good chance to wipe out General Middleton's column." And he proceeded
to give a graphic account of the rebels' opportunity at that unfortunate
affair. "But," he concluded, "the half-breeds and Indians have no
Chief."

"No Chief," agreed Crowfoot with emphasis, his old eyes gleaming in
the firelight. "No Chief," he repeated. "Where Big Bear--Little
Pine--Kah-mee-yes-too-waegs and Oo-pee-too-korah-han-ap-ee-wee-yin?"

"Oh," said Cameron, "here, there, everywhere."

"Huh! No big Chief," grunted Crowfoot in disgust. "One big Chief make
all Indians one."

It seemed worth while to Cameron to take a full hour from his precious
time to describe fully the operations of the troops and to make clear
to the old warrior the steady advances which the various columns were
making, the points they had relieved and the ultimate certainty of
victory.

"Six thousand men now in the West," he concluded, "besides the Police.
And ten thousand more waiting to come."

Old Crowfoot was evidently much impressed and was eager to learn more.

"I must go now," said Cameron, rising. "Where is Running Stream?" he
asked, suddenly facing Crowfoot.

"Huh! Running Stream he go hunt--t'ree day--not come back," answered
Crowfoot quickly.

Cameron sat down again by the fire, poked up the embers till the blaze
mounted high.

"Crowfoot," he said solemnly, "this day Onawata was in this camp and
spoke with you. Wait!" he said, putting up his hand as the old Chief
was about to speak. "This evening he rode away with Running Stream, Red
Crow, Trotting Wolf. The Sioux for many days has been leading about your
young men like dogs on a string. To-day he has put the string round the
necks of Red Crow, Running Stream, Trotting Wolf. I did not think he
could lead Crowfoot too like a little dog.

"Wait!" he said again as Crowfoot rose to his feet in indignation.
"Listen! The Police will get that Sioux. And the Police will take the
Chiefs that he led round like little dogs and send them away. The Great
Mother cannot have men as Chiefs whom she cannot trust. For many years
the Police have protected the I