his
warriors. It would have required a vivid imagination and a genius in
the way of invention to explain how it was his horse was just vanishing
in the distance; how the chief was in the act of recovering his weapon,
and more than all, how it came about that the youthful warrior of a
strange tribe, who had already slain one Assiniboine--though that was
yet unknown to this party--was riding leisurely off on the back of the
special pet of the chieftain. If the Assiniboine was wise he made a
clean breast of it, and insisted that the dusky stranger was a marvel
in his way whom it was exceedingly unwise to push into a corner.

The chagrin of the Assiniboine party was not soothed by the action of
Deerfoot, who, having spared the life of an enemy, felt himself
justified in "rubbing it in," so to speak. He faced Whirlwind toward
the group, held him motionless, and, swinging his rifle over his head,
indulged in a series of tantalizing shouts that were anything but
soothing to the chief and his friends. How they ached to get the
terrible young warrior into their power! What exquisite vengeance they
would have wreaked upon him!

But such bliss was impossible. They knew what speed the black stallion
possessed, and it was not supposable that his rider meant to challenge
all of them to combat. So they maintained a glum silence as he rode
from view.

Meanwhile, Deerfoot found he must give attention to the ankle, whose
condition had been aggravated by the fight with the Assiniboine leader.
It was much swollen and the pain was torturing. Still his bravery and
self-command prevented anything in the nature of murmuring. In truth,
he would have suffered death without outcry.

The remarkable youth found a strange consolation. He was familiar with
the story of the Saviour's death on the cross and remembered the nails
that were driven through the hands and feet.

"_He_ suffered from four wounds, besides having a spear thrust into his
side. Deerfoot has only one hurt in his foot and that does not bleed.
_He_ had the weight of the world's guilt crushing his heart. What are
Deerfoot's sufferings compared with His? It is my Father's will and
therefore the heart of Deerfoot is glad."

Failing to see a sign of strangers in the neighborhood, the Shawanoe
drew Whirlwind down to a walk and halted at the first mountain stream,
which happened to be no larger than the one where he had broiled his
supper the night before.

The moment Whirlwind s