he rest. He did not comprehend what was
said, as the speech was in the Waco tongue, and he understood it not.
He guessed that it related to the fallen chief and his enemies, but its
exact purport was unknown to him.

"Brothers!" again resumed the orator, "brave men are modest and silent
about their deeds. None but a brave warrior could have done this. We
know that a brave warrior will avow it. Let him fear not to speak. The
Wacoes will be grateful to the warrior who has avenged the death of
their beloved chief."

Still the silence was unbroken, except by the voice of the orator.

"Brother warriors!" he continued, raising his voice and speaking in an
earnest tone, "I have said that the Wacoes will be grateful for this
deed. I have a proposal to make. Hear me!"

All signified assent by gestures.

"It is our custom," continued the speaker, "to elect our chief from the
braves of our tribe. I propose that we elect him _now_ and _here_--
here! on the red field where his predecessor has fallen. _I propose for
our chief the warrior who has done this deed_!" And the orator pointed
to the fallen Pane.

"_My_ voice for the brave who has avenged our chief!" cried one.

"And mine!" shouted another.

"And mine! and mine! and mine!" exclaimed all the warriors.

"Then solemnly be it proclaimed," said the orator, "that he to whom
belongs this trophy," he pointed to the scalp of the Pane, "shall be
chief of the Waco nation!"

"Solemnly we avow it!" cried all the warriors in the ring, each placing
his hand over his heart as he spoke.

"Enough!" said the orator. "Who is chief of the Waco warriors? Let him
declare himself on the spot!"

A dead silence ensued. Every eye was busy scanning the faces around the
circle, every heart was beating to hail their new chief.

Carlos, unconscious of the honour that was in store for him, was
standing a little to one side, observing the movements of his dusky
companions with interest. He had not the slightest idea of the question
that had been put. Some one near him, however, who spoke Spanish,
explained to him the subject of the inquiry, and he was about to make a
modest avowal, when one of the braves in the circle exclaimed--

"Why be in doubt longer? If modesty ties the tongue of the warrior, let
his weapon speak. Behold! his arrow still pierces the body of our foe.
Perhaps it will declare its owner,--it is a marked one!"

"True!" ejaculated the orator. "Let us quest