Part 14 (2/2)

”'I will talk with the white one for half an hour He secreted Landley, inspected the defenses, gathered the women and children in the blockhouse, and returned to the council

”'The white uilty,' he said, proudly 'I have proain the helper caate,' said he

”'Who is there?' said McLeod

”'It's so dark I can't see,' said the helper

”'The man is my cousin,' said Red Feather 'He has come to talk with us Let him in, for he is a wise ate,' said McLeod

”We sat silent, waiting for the cousin of Red Feather, the wise ht help us I heard the rattle of the bar as the helper lifted it, then the creak of the gate Then a furious outcry, a confusion of howls and screams, a hoop and a rush of feet The Indians ithin the stockade A moment later they burst into the shop and advanced upon us, uttering blood-curdling whoops and brandishi+ng their hatchets and knives McLeod reached for the ers touched it Red Feather caught him by the arms, and with the help of the brother made him prisoner At the same instant I was secured

”'Let us strike! Let us strike!' the Indians kept shouting, all the while dancing about us, flourishi+ng their weapons

”The danger was real and terrible We were at the mercy of the band, and at that moe There had been a cruel massacre at Fort Pine but a few months before The story was fresh in one unpunished; nor was it likely that a sufficient force would be sent west to give the band their due There was nothing now to deter Red Feather's e We were ree of a wilderness into which escape was a siuns, as I have said, had been our law and defense, and ere now utterly in the power of our enemies

”'Let us strike! Let us strike!' was the cry

”Buffalo Horn had come in with the band It was soon evident that to the restraining influence of his presence was due our respite He waved his braves back They withdrew and becaive the murderer of my child to our tribe?' the chief said to McLeod

”'He is no longer ive hione with us?'

”McLeod was still in the grasp of Red Feather and his brother Buffalo Horn was facing hinal, was the band, with knives and hatchets in hand

”'No,' said McLeod

”The tu the factor with their weapons and crying out for his death But McLeod was not to be terrified

[Illustration: _Courtesy of ”The Youth's Companion”_ BUFFALO HORN LOOKED STEADILY INTO McLEOD'S EYES]

”'Let us take the whitehis hand for silence 'We have no quarrel with you Let all be as it was'

”'No,' said McLeod 'I will never consent to his murder'

”'Let us take him'

”'I said I wouldn't,' said McLeod, 'and I won't'

”It seemed to me that the end had coave hilance He was ready to die for the word he had passed The Indian hesitated It hter Then he turned, as if to give the signal Before his hand was raised, however, the daughter of the Indian interpreter of the post pushed her way through the band of braves and stood before their chief

”'Listen,' said she 'Have you cooods?'

”'No,' said Buffalo Horn 'We have no quarrel with the great company'