a wound
through his shoulder. The flickering of the fire-light had saved him
from death.

A cry that was little less than a war whoop now sounded out, and with
this four other Indians appeared, two whom Pawnee Brown had before seen
in Yellow Elk's company and two who were utter strangers to him.

"Capture the white dog!" howled Yellow Elk, in his native tongue. "Shoot
the dog down!"

"Pawnee Brown!" grunted one of the newcomers, and up went several
pistols. The scout fired at the same time, and one of the strange
Indians threw up his hands and fell lifeless. But the bullet this Indian
had sent on its mission struck the boomer across the forehead and sent
the scout to the flooring of the cave senseless.

When Pawnee Brown came to a clear mind again he found himself aching in
every portion of his body, for in their usual custom the Indians on
finding him helpless had each taken their turn at kicking him to suit
their pleasure, Yellow Elk especially delighting in this cruel
performance.

The scout was bound tightly with a lariat which started from his feet
and was wound and crossed up to his very neck, making body, legs and
arms as stiff as those of an Egyptian mummy. He lay on the cave flooring
not a dozen feet from the fire, which Yellow Elk was in the act of
replenishing.

As he opened his eyes one of the other Indians, Spotted Nose by name,
stopped in front of him. The scout instantly closed his eyes again, but
it was too late.

"You all right," cried Spotted Nose, and gave him a sharp kick in the
side.

"Well I won't be if you keep on kicking me," replied the boomer, as
cheerfully as he could, although it must be admitted he was much
disturbed. He glanced around and was relieved to see that Nellie was
nowhere in sight.

Yellow Elk now came up and also kicked the prostrate scout.

"You heap dirty dog!" he exclaimed, his face full of bitter hatred. "You
shoot me--you die for dat."

"I suppose I will--if you have the saying of that, Yellow Elk. But
perhaps you won't dare to kill me."

"Why not Indian dare? Indian dare anything," growled Yellow Elk.

"My friends are not far off--they will soon come here, and if you harm
me it will go hard with you."

At this all of the Indians laughed.

"No white man around here--we on guard all time," said Spotted Nose.

"On guard, eh? And yet you didn't see me come in, Dirty Nose?"

"Spotted Nose did see Pawnee Brown," was the answer; but this was a
falsehood. A