When they rode into it, all Muck-otey-pokee seemed asleep; but the perennially young, though still venerable, Snake-Who-Leaps, had been prone before Wahneenah's wigwam, and silently rose from the ground as they drew rein beside him. "Ah, the Sleepless! The Wise Man. Did he think his pupils had ridden away to their own destruction?" asked the squaw, as she stepped down from her saddle. "No harm can happen the household of my chief save what the Great Spirit wills." "And you think He will not waste time with three wild runaways?" "Wahneenah, the Happy, is in good spirit herself. I remembered her not, save as the message may concern. That is for the ear of my friend and the father of his tribe, the Black Partridge." Handing the Sun Maid into his sister's embrace, he for whom the message waited slipped the bridles of two horses over his arm while the Snake-Who-Leaps led the others. Whatever they had to say was not begun then nor there, and if Wahneenah had any curiosity in the matter it was not to be gratified. Yet she stood, for a moment, listening to the receding sounds as the darkness enveloped the departing group; and in her heart was born a fresh anxiety because of the little one she carried, and for the orphan lad who followed so closely at her skirts as she lifted her tent curtain and entered their home. But nothing occurred to suggest that the message of the Snake-Who-Leaps had been one of warning. He was at his post of teacher exactly on the hour appointed on the following day, and this time all his pupils conducted themselves with a grave propriety that greatly pleased him; and thereafter, for many days, and even weeks, while the dry season lasted, did he instruct and they perform the marvellous feats of horsemanship which have made the red man famous the world over. "But," said Osceolo one day, tauntingly: "you were the pale-face who would learn nothing from an Indian!" "Because a person is a fool once, need he remain so always?" answered Gaspar, hotly. "You were a fool then? I thought so. Once a fool always one." "Only an Indian believes that." "How? You taunt me? Fight, then!" Gaspar Keith was a curious mixture of courage and timidity. His courage came by nature, and his timidity was the result of the terrible scenes through which he had passed now twice, young though he was. The impress of this terror would remain with him forever; and if ever he became a hero in fact, it would be because of his will and not his inclination. At present neither the one nor the other inspired him; and though he eyed the larger boy scornfully, and felt that he could easily whip the bully, if he chose, he now turned his back upon him and walked away haughtily. But Osceolo's sneer followed him: "The One-Who-Is-Afraid-Of-His-Shadow! Gaspar--Coward!"