But that tableau was rudely broken, and that by a white man who suddenly threw himself into the cabin and pushed the rifle of the Seneca aside. Every eye was turned upon him, and the tomahawks of the Indians leaped from their belts. "I hate that man with all my heart," the new comer cried, addressing the Indians as he pointed to the renegade, surprised with the rest. "I wouldn't spare his life but for a little while. He knows something which I must know; then my red brother's rifle may send the bullet to his heart." Girty looked, stared into the speaker's face. "Who are you?" he asked before the Indian could reply. "My name is Catlett." "A spy of Wayne's?" "Yes." The savages exchanged looks, and Parquatoc spoke: "The Blacksnake's spy has no right to step between Parquatoc and his captive," he said. "No!" hissed the Shawnee. "Stand aside!" continued the Seneca, menacingly. But Harvey Catlett did not stir. The Indians advanced upon him. "Hold!" cried Oscar Parton. "He will join us! He will wear the mark which you gave me." "No white spy shall wear it!" was the reply. Face to face with the two savages stood Wayne's young scout, composed and unyielding. He intended to kill the first savage who raised a hand against him. But all at once James Girty moved from the wall. With one of his powerful bounds, he hurled himself upon the spy, whom he sent reeling against Parquatoc, and the next moment he was running for life through the forest. It was in vain that Oscar Parton and the Shawnee, the first to recover, tried to cover him with their rifles. The renegade was fleet of foot, and a yell announced his escape and future revenge. James Girty was at large again, but captiveless; for Kate Merriweather had fallen into hands that would not desert her. Harvey Catlett turned to the Indians when he had recovered his equilibrium. He told then why he wished to spare Girty's life--for the secret of Little Moccasin's parentage--and when he had finished, Parquatoc said: "The Blacksnake's spy must join us. All who hate the White Whirlwind must wear the mark." At Oscar's solicitation the young spy consented, and Parquatoc's knife cut the sign of the banded brotherhood on his breast. "Back to the white people with their child!" the Seneca said. "The big fight is coming on." They parted there--red and white--and Kate once more turned her face toward her relatives. CHAPTER XV. THE FOREST WHIPPING POST. The Merriweather family did not make rapid progress toward Wayne after Kate's abduction. A gloom had settled over the little band of fugitives, and they desired to remain near the spot which had been so fatal to one of their number. A degree of safety returned with Wolf Cap's accession to their numbers, and the tall borderman did not cease to assure them that Harvey Catlett was an experienced scout. He firmly believed that he would restore Kate to their arms, and this quieted the parents and made them feel hopeful.