Part 18 (1/2)

”I can't say I like the look of hiot the expression of a fellow you could trust Besides, don't you think that if our fathers ell and had sent a native er to us--don't you think that they would have sent soe as well?”

”It would have been easy enough Father always carries his notebook and pencil with him----”

”So he could have easily explained matters I don't think he would have trusted an Indian to be understood It isn't as if we knew anything of the lingo”

While the boys were thus discussing the situation in low tones, they did not heed how Red Fox was observing the to discover how far his deception had succeeded, though he endeavoured to hide his anxious observation by the action of lighting his redstone pipe And it must be confessed that his keen scrutiny of the lads' faces did not reassure him He could see suspicion plainly er, though resenter lad, whose inadvertent ree pride

But the redskin's mental observations were suddenly cut short by Bob, heeled upon him with a sudden inspiration

”Look here,” he said quickly, though his voice was pleasant and alood of you to travel so far to bring us this news We are glad to see you, and will try to give you a good present

But ill settle our business first So, give o to the tent and eat”

”Letter?”

The Indian repeated the single word in a puzzled tone

”Yes; the one ave you,” said Bob

So ence that apparently he had not only been expected by the boys but that he had been looked for as the bearer of a letter from the fathers to their sons, that he wasan only slight acquaintance with the English language

He stared open-eyed at the question, and Bob continued evenly--

”Of course my father would send a letter if he wanted us He would do that to prove that his ive you one?”

Red Fox was quite taken off his guard by the white boy's guile, but he strove to cover his confusion by further lying

”Yes--the white man send paper by hand of Red Fox, but--but Red Fox foolish; he--lose letter--on trail----”

”But you are _sure_ you had one? It would be written--in red--with a red pencil--a red paint-stick”

”My white brother speaks true,” said the Indian

”Of course he does!” chimed in Alf, to whom his chum's ruse was now clear ”And if that letter ritten in red and sent to us, ould knohere it caer at once”

The Indian flashed a quick glance of hatred towards the last speaker, but instantly lowered his eyelids again, as he returned with more calmness than before--

”It is well The pale-face did paint letter with red But--Red Fox foolish Indian He lose letter on trail He seek ame of bluff had succeeded Now the boys knew for certain that the --that he had not been cohed derisively

”Trapped!” exclaiht as a rabbit in a gin, Bob”

How that sneering laughter scorched the redman's pride! It touched him at the quick, and caused hiers twitched beneath the folds of his blanket with eagerness to tear out the tongue that thus jeered at hiedy as they laughed at the little co huddled at their feet They did not notice how the Indian's eyes firstbank to the surface of the water, and then as quietly calculated the distance between himself and the lads

”Yes, you were indeed foolish,” resumed Arnold, ”for you have shown us that your words were lies My father never wrote such a letter, I a that he possesses And if he ell enough to write, he would be well enough to co such a foolish Indian and a bad liar”