wild flight, the Fox, still
burning with a desire to wipe out the insult that Waffles had put upon
his family when he took away that revered wampum belt that had never
before been touched by profane hands, had followed in their wake.
Finding a chance to jump on the back of Waffles, he had borne the man
to the ground. Doubtless the other two had continued their mad flight,
never caring what would happen to Waffles, and only thinking of saving
their own precious bodies.

And ever since that minute, the Fox had been sitting on the fallen
man, telling him how he meant to punish him for his mean act, by
making Waffles a reproach among his fellows, since only thieves have
their ears sliced off in some countries.

Thad nudged his companion, and they started to creep closer to the spot
where the two figures prone on the ground could be indistinctly seen.

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE TURN OF THE TIDE.

"Hold on, Fox! that man has been punished enough; and besides you've
recovered the belt, so there's been no real harm done. Let him get up!"

It was Thad who said this, as he and Aleck broke cover, and appeared
before the astonished eyes of the two who were on the ground, the Crow
boy flourishing his knife in a way calculated to make any one's blood
run cold.

The Fox seemed to recognize that Thad spoke as one having authority.
He had seen him manage things in the camp of the scouts, and noticed
how willingly the rest of the boys recognized his leadership. And
secretly the Crow boy admired Thad more than any paleface lad he had
ever met on or off the reservation, saving possibly Aleck.

So he immediately arose, and hastened to conceal his knife.

"Give big scare, so him never try again!" he muttered, looking down.

"Don't ye believe him; he just meant to take my ears off, for a fact,"
exclaimed the man as he gained his feet, hardly knowing whether to
start in running once more, or trust to Thad to stand between himself
and the injured Crow boy.

"Well, then, we just happened along this way in time to save them for
you; and Waffles, suppose you clear out of this as fast as you can.
Don't forget what we said about shooting, if ever we found you around
our camp. Now, if you get away in a hurry, I'll agree to keep the Fox
beside me. Only if you know what's good for you, never go near the
reservation again."

"Well, I never will, make up your mind to that. Hold him now; I'm going
to skedaddle out of this on the jump!" a