"What were my words to the great Council at Dog Creek?" was the calm rejoinder. "`Those who strike my friends strike me, and turn me into an enemy.' Were there not enough whites abroad upon the plains for your war-party to strike without attacking my friends whom I accompany? Enough. My words stand. I never go back from them." For a moment things seemed to have come to a crisis. The chief made a step backward and cast a half-involuntary glance in the direction of his party. A threatening scowl came over his grim countenance, and his hand made a movement towards the revolver in his belt. But Vipan never moved a muscle, beyond carelessly dropping his rifle so as to cover the Indian in a manner apparently accidental. "The Dahcotah have entertained a false friend in their midst," went on Mountain Cat, darting forth his hand with a menacing gesture, "one who smokes in their council and then betrays them. Where is War Wolf?" "Is War Wolf my horse or my dog that it is my business to take care of him?" was the coldly contemptuous reply. "Who witnessed the scalp-dance in our village at Dog Creek, when War Wolf showed his scalps? Who delivered him into the hands of the soldiers?" said the other, meaningly. "I know who did not--and that was myself. We may as well speak plainly. War Wolf appears to have gone about the country bragging how he took the scalps of two white men, when he ought to have kept his mouth shut. If he was seized by the soldiers he has himself to thank for it, and nobody else--certainly not me, any more than yourself. I would even have warned him if I had been able, but it was impossible. That is enough about the matter." "Good," repeated the savage chieftain, in a tone full of grim meaning. "Golden Face talks well, but in future our war-parties will know an enemy from a friend." "So be it," replied Vipan, wholly unmoved by the threat. "If your party attacks our outfit again, we shall fight, as we did before." "Excuse me," put in Winthrop, who was waxing impatient during this protracted conversation. "Excuse me--but our friend there does not seem to enter into the situation in a right spirit. Here is the order. It is made available only up till three days hence. So if you will kindly inform him accordingly, no doubt we shall get rid of the whole crew." On the principle of "half a loaf," the other two chiefs grasped the bit of paper eagerly. They were beaming with smiles, and brimming over with affection for their dear white brothers. Only Mountain Cat held scowlingly aloof. Then they returned to their men.