cover still holding good. He was,
in a way, fascinated by what he saw. It had the quality of a
dream, and its very unreality made him think less of the danger.
But he really did not know how expert he had become as a
woodsman and trailer through his long training as a trapper,
where delicacy of movement and craft were required.

He believed that the Indians, in such a secure location, would
not be stirring beyond the village at this late hour, and he had
little fear of anything except the sharp-nosed dogs that are
always prowling about an Indian village. He was within three
hundred yards of the lodges when he heard the faint sound of
voices and footsteps. He instantly lay down among the bushes,
but raised himself a little on his elbow in order to see.

Three Indians were walking slowly along a woodland path toward
the village, and the presence of the path indicated the village
had been here for many months, perhaps was permanent. The
Indians were talking very earnestly and they made gestures. One
raised his voice a little and turned toward one of his
companions, as if he would emphasize his words. Then Dick saw
his face clearly, and drew a long breath of surprise.

It was Bright Sun, but a Bright Sun greatly changed. He was
wholly in native attire--moccasins, leggings, and a beautiful
blue blanket draped about his shoulders. A row of eagle feathers
adorned his long black hair, but it was the look and manner of
the man that had so much significance. He towered above the
other Indians, who were men of no mean height; but it was not his
height either, it was his face, the fire of his eyes, the proud
eagle beak which the Sioux had not less than the Roman, and the
swift glance of command that could not be denied. Here was a
great chief, a leader of men, and Dick was ready to admit it.

He could easily have shot Bright Sun dead as he passed, but he
did not dream of doing such a thing. Yet Bright Sun, while
seeming to play the part of a friend, had deliberately led the
wagon train into a fatal ambush--of that Dick had no doubt. He
felt, moreover, that Bright Sun was destined to cause great woe
to the white people, his own people, but he could not fire; nor
would he have fired even if the deed had been without danger to
himself.

Dick, instead, gave Bright Sun a reluctant admiration. He looked
well enough as the guide in white men's clothes, but in his own
native dress he looked like one to be served, not