“Seek not to know the mysteries of the medicine lodge, Long Hair,” said the old priest solemnly. “They are known only to a few of us, who are bound by the most solemn oaths. We may not reveal them to our children or brothers--still less to white men. Let it suffice that there is an Indian magic which in some matters is greater than the wisdom of the palefaces. “I knew what was in the heart of this dead dog,” he went on, spurning the body of Leaping Dog with his foot as he spoke. “I knew that he meant to murder Red Cloud as soon as he had formed the purpose in his mind. I waited for him to come and raise the knife, as I knew he would do, and then I invoked the wrath of the Great Manitou and slew him.” “You mean that you killed him by sheer terror, Silver Fox,” said Buffalo Bill. He bade good night to his red friends and went back, with Wild Bill and Nick Wharton, to their own tepee. They discussed the strange death of Leaping Dog, but could come to no satisfactory conclusion about it. “It must have been done in some way by means of hypnotism,” said Buffalo Bill. “Silver Fox must, in one momentary glance, have made the man think he saw something terrible enough to frighten him to death. And that Indian had pretty good nerves, too, I should say. Yet I never saw such a crazy look of fear and horror in any man’s eyes--not even in the eyes of men who have died under the tortures of the redskins--and you know what they look like. I tell you I’m afraid to go to sleep to-night, for I know I shall dream of that look in the eyes of Leaping Dog.” However, in a few minutes, the border king was fast asleep. His nerves were much stronger than he had represented them to be. CHAPTER XIV. IN COUNCIL. The three scouts only stayed for a day or two with the Navahos after the rescue of Red Cloud. They were anxious to hurry back to Kansas and find out how the campaign against the three rebel tribes was proceeding. A toilsome but unadventurous journey brought them back at last to Fort Larned, where they were warmly welcomed by the commandant. He heard with great pleasure the results of Cody’s mission--that there was no danger of the Navahos giving trouble, but that, on the contrary, they would do all in their power to restrain the other tribes in the Southwest from digging up the hatchet. “Have you done much fighting with the confederated tribes while we have been away?” asked Buffalo Bill. “No,” replied the officer. “They have kept carefully out of our way. They retreated to the mountains, where our troops could not follow them. We have had a few small skirmishes, but they are still unconquered. They have been gathering strength lately, according to the reports brought in by my scouts, and I am expecting them soon to descend down into the plains again and assume the offensive.” “Will you be ready to meet them?” asked Buffalo Bill.