kettles gave forth the odors pleasing to an Indian's
nostrils. Boys broiled strips of venison on twigs before the
fires. Squaws were jerking buffalo and deer meat in a hundred
places, and strings of fish ready for the cooking hung before the
lodges. Plenty showed everywhere.

Dick understood that if one were really a wild man, with all
instincts of a wild man inherited through untold centuries of
wild life, he could find no more pleasing sight than this great
encampment abounding in the good things for wild men that the
plains, hills, and water furnished. He saw it readily from the
point of view of the Sioux and could appreciate their confidence.

Albert, who was a little ahead of Dick, peered between two
lodges, and suddenly turned away with a ghastly face.

"What's the trouble, Al?" asked Dick.

"I saw a warrior passing on the other side of those lodges,"
replied Albert, "and he had something at his belt--the yellow
hair of a white man, and there was blood on it."

"We have taken many scalps already," interrupted the young Sioux,
Lone Wolf, some pride showing in his tone.

Both Dick and Albert shuddered and were silent. The gulf between
these men and themselves widened again into quite a sea. Their
thoughts could not touch those of the Sioux at any point.

"I think we'd better go back to our own lodge," said Dick.

"No," said Lone Wolf. "The great chief, Bright Sun, has
commanded us when we return to bring you into his presence, and
it is time for us to go to him."

"What does he want with us?" asked Albert.

"He knows, but I do not," replied Lone Wolf sententiously.

"Lead on," said Dick lightly. "Here, we go wherever we are
invited."

They walked back a full mile, and Lone Wolf and Pine Tree led the
way to a great lodge, evidently one used by the Akitcita,
although Dick judged that in so great a village as this, which
was certainly a fusion of many villages, there must be at least a
dozen lodges of the Akitcita.

Lone Wolf and Pine Tree showed Dick and Albert into the door, but
they themselves remained outside. The two boys paused just
inside the door until their eyes became used to the half gloom of
the place. Before them stood a dozen men, all great chiefs, and
in the center was Bright Sun, the dominating presence.

Despite their natural courage and hardihood and the wild life to
which they had grown used, Dick and Albert were somewhat awed
by the appearance of these men, every one of