and gracefully as he could,
in the hope that the two wiry old women would be detached
speedily from his hair. This object was achieved as soon as the
Sioux saw that he did not resist, and the vigilant Pine Tree stood
before him, watching with an expression that Dick feared could be
called a grin.

"The honors are yours," said Dick as politely as he could, "but
tell me what has become of my brother."

"He is being taken to the other side of the river," said the
voice of Bright Sun over Pine Tree's shoulder, "and he and you
will be kept apart until we decide what to do with you. It was
foolish in you to attempt to escape. I had warned you."

"I admit it," said Dick, "but you in my place would have done the
same. Once can only try."

He tried to speak with philosophy, but he was sorely troubled
over being separated from his brother. Their comradeship in
captivity had been a support to each other.

There was no sympathy in the voice of Bright Sun. He spoke
coldly, sternly, like a great war chief. Dick understood, and
was too proud to make any appeal. Bright Sun said a few words to
the warriors, and walked away.

Dick was taken to another and larger lodge, in which several
warriors slept. There, after his arms were securely bound, he
was allowed to lie down on a rush mat, with warriors on rush mats
on either side of him. Dick was not certain whether the warriors
slept, but he knew that he did not close his eyes again that
night.

Although strong and courageous, Dick Howard suffered much
mental torture. Bright Sun was a Sioux, wholly an Indian
(he had seen that at the sun dance), and if Albert and he were
no longer of any possible use as hostages, Bright Sun would not
trouble himself to protect them. He deeply regretted their wild
attempt at escape, which he had felt from the first was almost
hopeless. Yet he believed, on second thought, that they had been
justified in making the trial. The great sun dance, the immense
gathering of warriors keyed for battle, showed the imminent need
for warning to the white commanders, who would not dream that
the Sioux were in such mighty force. Between this anxiety and
that other one for Albert, thinking little of himself meanwhile,
Dick writhed in his bonds. But he could do nothing else.

The warriors rose from their rush mats at dawn and ate flesh of
the buffalo and deer and their favorite wa-nsa. Dick's arms were
unbound, and he, too, was allowed to eat; but