an, but she had no more than taken
a single step toward him when he was awake and listening keenly. A soft
padding upon the dead leaves could be heard like the gentle falling
of raindrops. The Indian rolled over on his side, swept away some dead
leaves and moss, and drew toward him a fine Winchester rifle.

"Huh! Wolf," he said, with quiet unconcern. "Here," he continued,
pointing to a rock beside him. Mandy took the place indicated. As she
seated herself he put up his hand with a sharp hiss. Again the pattering
feet could be heard. Suddenly the Indian leaned forward, gazing intently
into the gloom beyond the rim of the firelight, then with a swift
gliding movement he threw his rifle up and fired. There was a sharp
yelp, followed by a gurgling snarl. His shot was answered by a loud
shout.

"Huh!" said the lad with quiet satisfaction, holding up one finger, "One
wolf. Big Chief come."

At the shout Mandy had sprung to her feet, answering with a loud glad
halloo. Immediately, as if in response to her call, an Indian swung
his pony into the firelight, slipped off and stood looking about him.
Straight, tall and sinewy, he stood, with something noble in his face
and bearing.

"He looks like a gentleman," was the thought that leaped into Mandy's
mind. A swift glance he swept round the circle of the light. Mandy
thought she had never seen so piercing an eye.

The Indian lad uttered a low moaning sound. With a single leap the man
was at his side, holding him in his arms and kissing him on both cheeks,
with eager guttural speech. A few words from the lad and the Indian was
on his feet again, his eyes gleaming, but his face immobile as a death
mask.

"My boy," he said, pointing to the lad. "My boy--my papoose." His voice
grew soft and tender.

Before Mandy could reply there was another shout and Allan, followed by
four Indians, burst into the light. With a glad cry Mandy rushed into
his arms and clung to him.

"Hello! What's up? Everything all right?" cried Allan. "I was a deuce of
a time, I know. Took the wrong trail. You weren't frightened, eh? What?
What's happened?" His voice grew anxious, then stern. "Anything wrong?
Did he--? Did anyone--?"

"No, no, Allan!" cried his wife, still clinging to him. "It was only a
wolf and I was a little frightened."

"A wolf!" echoed her husband aghast.

The Indian lad spoke a few words and pointed to the dark. The Indians
glided into the woods and in a few minutes one of them