"Ask their comrades. When they saw they were defeated, they retired in disorder, but they carried their dead with them." "Carried off the dead?" "Yes. I will give them the credit for that." "But how did it occur that your wig is gone and these gentlemen have had their hair cut short?" inquired Harkaway. Mr. Mole looked a little confused. "Oh! I will explain that," he said; "on our way home we were attacked by a horde of tramps." "A horde?" "Yes, about a score, and being exhausted by our encounter with the Indians we surrendered at discretion." "That was rough on you, sir. It was indeed. Did the tramps rob you of anything?" "All we possessed; but we beat the Indians, and if we had been possessed of any cartridges we should have driven off the tramps." "That is a very good story," said Jack. Mr. Mole looked indignant. "What do you mean by that insinuation?" he exclaimed. "Do you doubt my honor?" "Oh! no. Not for a moment." "Then why is it a good story?" "Simply because it is the best lie, Mr. Mole, that I have heard for a long time." Captain Cannon struck his breast with his hand and Mr. Twinkle looked unutterable things at Jack. "_I_ am concerned in this allegation," said the captain. "Did I allegate anything?" asked Jack. "Yes, sir, and I deny the allegation and despise the allegator." "That's a stale joke," replied Jack. "But look here, gentlemen, if the Indians cut your hair or took Mr. Mole's wig, we can return the hirsute appendages. If the tramps robbed you of money or valuables we can give them back." "_You_!" "Yes, sir," continued Harkaway; "what do you say to this?" "And this?" cried Harvey. "And this?" added Van Hoosen. They severally displayed the spoils they had taken, placing them on a table. The consternation and dismay of the three pretenders was funny in the extreme. "Then you were the Indians!" said the professor; grasping the tail end of the joke feebly. "We were," answered Jack. "But how did you do it?" "Oh! we dressed up, being determined to have some fun with you, and as there was no harm done, I hope you will forgive the joke." "I do," replied the professor; "and I may add that I knew it was you, Jack, all along." "You did?" "If I hadn't known it, do you think I would have allowed you to take my wig." "Allowed me?" "Yes. It was the only one I had, and a bald-headed old man is not a cheerful spectacle, nor calculated to inspire respect." He took up his wig and fitted it on, after which he appropriated the various articles which had been taken from him. "Ah! Jack, you think you are a very smart fellow, but I have known you from a boy, and you can't fool me," said Mr. Mole. "But I did to-day, though," replied Harkaway. Captain Cannon took what belonged to him, and appeared very indignant. "Mr. Harkaway," he said, "you and I are members of the same club." "We are." "And we came over here to hunt the buffalo in its native wilds and make a report at home."