"Shortly after sun-up; it isn't very fur, and I've travelled powerful fast." Wharton yearned to ask the question that was on the tip of his tongue, but an awful fear held it back. "We heard a rifle awhile ago; do you know anything about it?" "I reckon," replied the ranger with a significant grin, "bein' as I was the chap that touched her off." "At whom did you fire?" "Why don't ye ask who did I hit, for when that piece speaks I reckon some one is hit. Did you hear him yell?" "We might have heard the chap a mile off," replied Larry. "Was the same Blazing Arrow." "No; I am sorry to say he kept out of the way, and I picked off the one that was nearest to him." "Did you see anything of an Indian with a bow and arrow?" "You mean Arqu-wao, or, as we call him, Red Crow." "That must be the one. Why does he have such a strange name?" "Did you ever see a red crow, younkers?" "No; and I never saw a person that has seen one." "And you never will; such a thing would be powerful qu'ar, but he wouldn't be any qu'arer than the varmint that Boone, M'Cleland, the Wetzel boys and some of the others have given the name to. He's a bit off, ain't 'zactly right here," added the scout, tapping his forehead. "Have you had anything to do with him?" Wharton related in as few words as possible their experience with the strange creature, and asked: "Has he always been that way?" "No; his brother and him had a big fight when they were on the warpath. His brother was older and stronger, and threw him down among the rocks in such a way that his head was hurt and he was never right afterwards. He has lived by himself along that lake over yender for ten or a dozen years. He won't have anybody with him; you know how the Injuns look on such a person; they think he's a little different and better than other folks and none of 'em will harm him. Of course none of the boys would hurt a hair of his head, though he's quick enough with his bow and arrer to shoot any one that comes pokin' round his place. It's powerful qu'ar that he acted the part of a friend toward you, but thar's no sayin' what crank may come into the head of such a person." "But he had a quarrel with Blazing Arrow, who seemed on the point of striking him." "That's nateral, for you know you hate anyone that you've already done an injury to." "Has Blazing Arrow ever injured him?" "Why, he's the one that throwed him over the rock; him and Blazing Arrow are full brothers." This was surprising news to both, and Larry said: "He once mentioned the name of that chap as his brother, but I didn't think that was what he meant." "I don't think the Red Crow loves his brother any more than his brother loves him. Some time thar'll be the biggest kind of a fight between 'em. They don't often meet, but when they do they allers strike fire." "How was it, Kenton, that you came to shoot awhile ago?" "One of the varmints got in my way, and if you know of any better plan for heavin' him out, let me hear it."