“Who owns the horse?” White Wolf replied. “Why was it left at my lodge door if not for the American to take with him? Somebody had bad dreams, and went and got the horse, so that he might sleep.” “In that case, the man deserves a present,” Skidi declared. “Let a present be given in exchange for the horse and the American may go.” “To whom shall the present be given?” White Wolf inquired. “I will take the present, and give it to the man who owns the horse,” said Skidi. “But of course if he has done this good deed he may wish to be secret about it, and if he is accused of having done an evil deed in the first place, he does not wish to be pointed at as a thief.” “The American chief sent no present. He only asked for a horse that had been taken from him. Here it is, left on the prairie at my door, and I give it back to him.” With that, Chief Charakterik stood and folded his robe around him, as sign that he was done. The soldier rose, also. But the squad led by Skidi murmured angrily. Somebody reached to grasp the horse’s neck rope―― “No. Let him take it. He will not go far.” “There will be a red scalp, for a dance, to-night.” “The Americans will think the Pawnee are cowards, if all they need do is ask for a horse and get it.” “You talk like children,” White Wolf reproved. “Who among you claims the horse? Nobody. Why was it left at my door, if not for me? Or did it come of itself? It is mine and I can do with it as I please.” “But the present! You will shame all the town if you, a great chief, yield this way to the Americans. There is no proof that they have lost a horse, and why should you give one up to them, for nothing? You have no right to give the horse away until you find out why it was left at your lodge. You should wait and find out. People do not leave horses at lodges without expecting something in return. I may have left the horse, myself; and I might look for a present. Where is the present?” Thus Skidi cunningly argued. “Yes, where is the present?” they all demanded. “You need not make it, yourself. You can ask it from the Americans. Or tell the soldier to go; and if he doesn’t like to go alone, we will help him on his way.” Scar Head suddenly spoke up. “The American can have the horse, White Wolf. I brought it, and I want no present.” Everybody gaped. White Wolf turned on him severely. “You? You are a boy. Why do you say the American can have the horse? If you brought it, where did you get it?” “I found it.” “Whose horse is it?” “It belongs to the American chief. It is the one he lost.” “How do you know?” “I know,” said Scar Head. “It was hidden, but I went and got it.” “You lie! You are a meddler!” Skidi stormed, furious. “Wait till I lay my hands on you.” “I do not lie. I brought the horse, and I can show where I found it,” Scar Head answered.