“But believe me to be a murderer, or pretend to believe me a murderer. Believe what you will, and still I laugh at you and the man called Polcher. For I appeal to the ancient law of the Cherokees, the law that has never been set aside and can not be set aside so long as a single white town stands on Cherokee soil! I demand my life so long as I stay here in Great Hiwassee. And, by the living God, who is God of both white and red, do you break that ancient law at your peril!” ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER VI ON THE WHITE PATH Watts glared in speechless rage, then sank back helpless. Polcher slyly drew a pistol, only to find his arm seized by the frightened _shaman_ and the weapon twisted from his hand. The warriors gritted their teeth but offered no violence. It was the law. Human blood must never be spilled in a white town. It was also the law among the Creeks and, if old memories were to be trusted, among the Senecas of the Long House. Superstition cowed those who would have scant regard for some other tribal laws. Sevier was still flushed with victory when Watts drew himself erect and smiled coldly on the borderer and in a mocking voice said: “So be it. Woe to the Cherokee who breaks the law!” And he paused to dart a warning glance at the enraged tavern-keeper. “But listen, Little John; the law says you shall receive no hurt so long as you stay here. So long as you stay here.” Sevier winced. Time was all precious. He must overtake the Tonpits and turn them back. The man’s mad ambitions unfitted him for cool-headed scheming, and it might result that his zeal would embarrass the cause of Spain. Yet, such as he was, he was essential in binding McGillivray to the Cherokees and to the white malcontents back in the Watauga country. Could he and the Emperor of the Creeks be kept apart? McGillivray’s formidable plans might easily go amiss, or at least be delayed until the border riflemen could prepare for the war. Sevier appreciated Tonpit’s erratic nature and yet did not underestimate him. He came from a proud family. He was austere in personality but could surely gather a following among the recent arrivals over the mountains. Old-timers would stick by Sevier and blindly follow his lead. Many of the newcomers and the lawless element—the last as a unit—would huzza for Tonpit. The Indians only asked for two hostile factions among the settlers. Aided by the Creeks, they would side with Tonpit. So Sevier had reason for dismay as he considered the trap he was in. Just so long as he remained within the limits of the town, all trails would be white and he would be treated courteously. Not even Polcher, now he had been taught his lesson, would raise a hand against him. But let him step over the line, and he became legitimate game for any ax.