cessful with the others, and the refusal of Shasta
was made in a most emphatic manner. Glaring at the boy like an enraged
tiger, he brandished his knife and sprung toward him with such a
curdling yell that the youngster sprung trembling back to the furtherest
verge of the cavern, and the eyes of the other Indians were all turned
toward the expected tragedy. But Elwood wasn't frightened--not a bit; he
understood what it all meant.

The performance was followed by a conversation between Shasta and the
tall Indian, who doubtless belonged to the Pah Utah nation or some tribe
friendly with them. It's precise import Elwood found impossible to
determine, but he could not avoid a feeling of uneasiness when he saw by
unmistakable signs that it referred to himself.

It looked very much as though Shasta was urging immediate disposal of
the prisoner, and his friend was strenuously maintaining a different
action. The Pah Utah showed great excitement, very often turning and
gesticulating toward Elwood, and once or twice he look a step or two in
that direction, as if he had resolved on a certain and speedy death for
him.

Finally, he appeared to yield the point, and turned his back upon his
disputant and walked to the fire. As he did so his face was revealed
alone to Elwood Brandon, and looking toward him, the boy again saw him
place his finger to his lips and give that warning expression, which
said as plainly as words, "Don't be frightened; all things are working
right!"

This was certainly gratifying, but our young friend was already
satisfied upon this point, and would have much preferred a more
substantial mark of friendship in the shape of something to supply the
craving within. But on the very eve of despair he was delighted to see a
couple of Indians--whose absence he had noted for the last
half-hour--return heavily laden with fish. These were immediately taken
in charge, by Shasta, and the savor of them as they were cooking drove
the famishing boy almost frantic.

While he sat with longing eyes, watching the motions of the cook, one of
the fat roasted fellows suddenly shot from his hand and fell into the
lap of the boy. The Pah Utah did not raise his head, and the act looked
as if it were a voluntary one upon the part of the fish to escape the
hands of its tormentors--so dexterously was the whole thing done.

Elwood did not stop to thank his considerate friend, but devoured the
food precisely in the fashion that a boy