The warriors withdrew and took up positions about the council-house. As the leader passed out, he reached to one side and caught up something and carried it before him, but not before Sevier recognized it as a large soapstone pipe. His features changed none, yet the warrior’s stealthy act in withdrawing the pipe kept alive his sense of danger. The removal of the pipe had two significances: it had been used in cementing a peace pact; and it was not to be offered to Sevier. “The Creeks came here hotfoot on learning the Watauga settlements had been ceded to the central Government and are no longer under Carolina’s jurisdiction. Watts has struck a bargain with McGillivray,” Sevier quickly deduced. Half an hour passed with the village remaining very quiet. Then sounded a slight confusion, and the prisoner knew Chief Watts had returned. The low murmur of voices suddenly ceased. The little girl wishing the new tooth shyly thrust her head through the door and invited the stranger to confidences and more gifts. A strong hand gently lifted her away; then Chief Watts, arrayed for hunting but carrying no weapons except the knife in his belt, entered the room, followed by a file of head men. “I greet you, Little John,” he gravely saluted as he seated himself on a bench. “You have kept me waiting,” rebuked Sevier. Watts’ beady eyes flickered a tribute to Sevier’s nerve, and with ironical meekness he replied: “I am sorry. As soon as I knew you were here, I came. What is your business so far inside the Cherokee country?” “I seek a murderer, a white man. I have no time to waste. Three thousand riflemen will misunderstand my absence and come searching for me if I do not get back to them.” The warriors fidgeted uneasily at this threat. Chief Watts’ visage became malignant, and he hissed— “It would have been better for you if you had brought your riflemen with you.” “It will be much worse for the Cherokee Nation if I do not return,” was the prompt reply. “That is as it will be,” rumbled the chief. “I ask you why you or some of your men killed Tall Runner of the Wolf.” “A renegade brought you that lie. You know it is a lie,” Sevier calmly retorted. Watts half rose with hand on knife, then sank back on the bench. Sevier continued— “The man who told you that is a murderer and the man I am after.” “He killed Tall Runner?” sneered Watts. “He killed a white man. No one killed Tall Runner. There is peace between the Little Tennessee towns and the Watauga settlements. Tall Runner was a messenger from Old Tassel, who is our friend. Why should we kill him? The Runner brought me talk from Old Tassel about a grand council. I sent a talk back to him, saying I would meet him and all friendly Cherokees in council and settle the trouble about the settlers moving on to the lands south of the French Broad.” “No such talk was brought to me,” said Watts.