Part 16 (2/2)
That hat the Indian said He pretended that he thought the Medicine Man had come to trade But he knew differently, and waited for the visitor to ”show his hand” Whatever bargain was to be proposed, he knew that his share would not be increased by any show of eagerness to possess the robe that even chiefs had coveted in vain
Thunder-ly--
”The dollars of Red Fox stay in pouch, yet ermine robe lie on his shoulders--if he do what Thunder-n to show interest, and the other went on--
”At Crane Creek thite papooses live in tent Red Fox will find theentle as the voice of a eon: 'White boys would find friends who are far away? Then Red Fox will lead theh the forest--by long path that twine like path of serpent Then, when sun sleep, Red Fox will creep away--soft--soft, that pale-faces hear not
And when sun waken--Red Fox will be back at cahty Hand I have spoken”
Red Fox had fastened the h he still sat with body bent while he intently listened to the Medicine Man's proposal to cause the two boys to be lost in the forest And as the story was ended he slowly raised his head to look into Thunder-maker's face What he saw there evidently satisfied hihastly face moved with a sort of smile that indicated satisfaction
”Then the--the fiery totem--foolish?” he questioned shyly, and the other Indian rejoined solemnly--
”The totem of the Dacotahs wise--very wise It speak to Thunder-ht, and tell hireenition of the lie
”Thunder-ht sneer ”But Red Fox hear hty Hand that they have papooses Water-spirits have not young So these are pale-faces”
Thunder-rily
”Does the Red Fox insult the sacred totem of the Dacotahs?” he deh it had been he to whom the insult was offered
But the Indian also raised hiantic body and bare lilistened like ainst any physical attack that the Medicine Man ht offer And his upper lip curled with a sneer as he stared straight into the eyes of the tote white men, and he know that totem cannot speak--that totem a lie But Red Fox will do this for his brother Thunder-ainst the pale-faces in yonder teepee, for they face Medicine Man--bravely when he would have had Dacotahs slay theladly wear the erain see their fathers?” interrupted the Medicine Man eagerly He forgot etiquette and tote that the success of one part of his evil plans was practically assured Red Fox was known to be a reat deterth of arm that allowed him to keep a place within the clan of the really kindly Dacotahs
”The Red Fox will blind the trail, that the white boys never follow? For Mighty Hand weak--like woman He listen to soft words, and it ht fire in Pleasant Valley The robe must return to tent of Thunder-maker if boys find their fathers”
”Let Thunder-maker take his way in peace By another sun Red Fox will have found the young pale-faces; by two suns he will return to the cahty Hand--alone I have spoken”
CHAPTER XIV
THE BATTLE OF WITS!
It was only to be expected that Bob was not fit for , and it was Skipper Mackintosh's decision on returning to caht
”But that will be a longer tiet on the track of our fathers,” protested Arnold, to whoht of inactivity for even twelve hours was irksome