But the chief had uttered one loud cry as he felt the noose tighten about him, and Kit Carey felt that it was a call for help to braves who were near, and so was anxious to secure his prisoner, determined to use him as a hostage and foil, if caught in a tight place. In response to his words the Sioux looked into the face of the officer, and replied: "The Red Hatchet is the friend of the pale faces, not their foe. He is here to keep his warriors back from the war-trail." "Does the Red Hatchet think that I am blind, for did I not see him lead the redskins to rescue Tatanka Yotanke?" And as he spoke Kit Carey turned quickly, for up the steep trail came a horse at full speed, and the rider he bore was Jennie Bernard. CHAPTER X. A WOMAN'S WAY. Kit Carey was fairly startled at the vision of loveliness he beheld before him, for Jennie Bernard had drawn rein suddenly, as she came to where the Sioux chief lay upon the ground, still in the toils of the lasso held in the hand of his captor, who stood over him, his revolver covering him. Attired in a buckskin riding habit that fitted her form perfectly, wearing a slouch dove-colored hat, and sitting her horse like one reared in the saddle, she was a perfect picture of a border girl, handsome and fearless. Hardly had her horse been reined to a sudden halt, when the chief spoke in good English: "Let the Snow Flower speak! Is the Red Hatchet the friend, or the foe, of the pale faces?" Ever courteous Kit Carey had raised his hat, and now at the words of the imprisoned Sioux chief, spoken most impressively, he had looked straight into the face of the young girl with a strange expression. "The Red Hatchet is my friend, the friend of our people. Oh, sir! I beg you not to do him harm!" Instantly did Kit Carey stoop, and unloosen the noose and coil, while he extended his hand, and said: "Rise, chief, and, believe me, I feel sorry at having made you a prisoner, though to find you here near the retreat of the hostiles I could but take you for a foe, while you are also in full war-paint and battle costume. Why is this, chief?" "The Red Hatchet wears a double face now. He is the friend of the pale faces, yet not the foe of his people. He will not be a traitor Sioux, and only when in war-paint and feathers can he talk to his braves as one who is not a coward, and urge them not to strike the blow that will destroy them." The words were delivered with a natural oratory, for which many Indians are noted, and they had their effect even upon such an old frontiersman as was Kit Carey, for he said frankly: "Again, I say that I am sorry, chief, so let us be friends, though I could swear that I saw you lead the attempted rescue of Sitting Bull, and several times seek my life." "The Red Hatchet was not there at the death of our great medicine chief," was the quick response of the Sioux. "Then it was your twin brother?"