, 1923-02-04

man, and gave a sudden exclamation.
Then he turned towards his com.
panions and addressed them volubly.
Joy looked at Dick and found that
his ace was very white.
What is it," she asked. Some.
thing has gone wrong?"
Yes, terribly wrong. These men
will be nlerciless. I have done you
my last dis-service."
What do you mean?"
Il did this tribe u grave wrong.
w years ago. One OF the men has
recognized me. and I think there is
little hope for us. Perhaps" He
took a step forward.
What are you going to DOR In
quired JOY sharply.
To try what u little explanation
will do" he answered.
MOI" she replied quickly. you
are going to make n bargain with
those men. I know you are, and /
shall not agree. We stand or fall
together"
DO you think you are wiser he
asked.
81 do not now whether I am wise
oil not" she answered firmly. But
I keep the faith of the trail. and I
shall not leave you in the lurch.
Neither will Babette. 1 am sure"
The Indian leader addressed him.
self to Dick Bracknell, who nodded
and then handed over his pistol and
hunting knife.
Keep your pistol out OF sight, Joy.
We may yet find 1t very useful. They
demanded that we accompany them
up the river. l do not think they
will hurt you or Miss La Fargo
yet"
Presently arrived At an encamp-
ment consisting of perhaps a score Of
tepees. a tall Indian .came out Of a
tent. and by his SIDE tottered a man
who seemed incred bly, old. But as
his eyes fell on Dick Bracknell they
lighted with sudden ferocity. and Joy
felt the clutch Of fear at her heart.
who is hat old man7" she asked.
HE is the Shaman-the tribal
w.tch-doctor, you know. He is a
ferocious old beast, and he owes me
one"
Then the Shamnn spoke. and
though she did not understand a
single word Joy shuddered. The
Shaman laughed as he broke off, n
throaty, croaking laugh. which
seemed unutterably evil.
What did that old savage say
to you. D ck?"
Bracknell laughed shortly. "Oh, he
was promis ng himself pleasure and
me pain. indeed my pain was to be
his pleasure"
"Ah! You mean they are going to
torture your
"I shouldn't wonder.'
"Will they be long before-?"
Tonight. I fancy! 1t seems the
tribe is in luck. A couple OF moose
were killed this morning. and n pot.
latch-sort of tribal bean.feast. you
KNOWS arranged for tonight and
most OF them will gorge. The Shaman
will no doubt arrange some form If
a star part!'
"oh, It is dreadfuli' cried Joy.
In the darkness of a guarded tent
she later heard Dick draw his breath
sharply, ON a second later a hand
touched hers. She did not shrink,
but remained quite still. and then
heard him speak in a broken, stam-
mering whisper
My GEAR . . IN INTERNALLY
sorry . TO have brought you into
this mess, I . . . l."
Joy did not answer. She new that
he was sincere.
Finding a small hole in the tent,
she peeped out. on the edge OF the
encampment n great fire had been
lit. She guessed hat 1t was there
that the potlatch was to be held, and
wondered what would happen when
the Indians had toasted.
She knew hat these men we're as
the men Of the Stone Age, that pity
was a quality to which they were
strangers.
oh" she moaned. "ls there moth,
ing hat We"
"Hushr' broke IN Dick. Listen
All three listened. There cnme a
ripping noise, IND a voice whispered.
Are you there?"
Even at that moment Joy Gar.
graves heart ieaped as she recog.
nized It.
yes, Corporal Bracknell. Your
cousin, Rabbette and myself arc
here"
Slip out through the hole I have
cut" said Roger.
Dick followed.
Joy and Babette slipped out, and
Roger led tho way through the
darkness to the river bank. and as
they began to descend an ear.splittinE
gr'll sounded from the direction Of tho
encampment. It was followed by an,