He had dispatched the other Indian soldier as courier, with all other information that he had gleaned, and the statement that he could lead the soldiers by a secret pass to the retreat of the hostiles, while the other passes could be so guarded as to prevent the escape of a single warrior when the fight was over. He also made known that he believed he was able to rescue Red Hatchet's captive without any outside aid. The second night after the coming of Herbert Bernard to the retreat of the hostiles, another stranger appeared in the camps. He came not in disguise, nor with painted face, but as a white man only. It was Vance Bernard, and his coming was soon known, and the chiefs assembled at the council lodge to greet one who was their friend. If there was any one there that was not looked upon as a friend of the Indians, his presence was not noted. And yet there was such a person present in the presence of Moon Eyes, the medicine man. He had slunk away in as secluded a position as he could find seeking to attract no observation to himself. His eyes were bent down, his long, black hair over his face, and his form crouching, and as still as a statue of bronze. But his ears were open to every word said. He saw the welcome given by the chiefs to the settler, Vance Bernard, and heard their words to him. He also heard the words of the settler in return, and when the name was spoken aloud, the name that was given the white man by the Indians, he gave a slight start as of surprise or delight. "The Eagle-that-Kills is welcome in the council lodge of the red men. He has been their friend ever since the days when he was their pale-face chief. The Sioux have followed him many moons ago upon the trail of the pale-faces, and they listen to his voice in silence, they know that he speaks wisdom." Such was the welcome of the leading Indian chief to the Eagle-that-Kills, and as the words reached the ears of the disguised officer his thoughts went back into the past, when he had known of a white renegade who became chief of the Sioux, and was a cruel foe to his own race. Then he had heard how this same white renegade, known as Eagle-that-Kills, had taken a few braves and haunted the stage-trails, where he was said to have gotten a great deal of booty. Then he had heard of this same renegade going to the mines of the Black Hills, where it was said that he had been killed in a revolver duel with a brother miner, while others alleged that he had mysteriously disappeared, and had departed this life at the end of a rope. After the welcome of the chiefs the Eagle-that-Kills arose to speak. He spoke the Sioux tongue perfectly, and in a deep, melodious voice that was very impressive.