It was some little time before Clarence Tinling gave any opinion upon this bloodthirsty document. He turned exceedingly red, and examined it suspiciously on both sides. It seemed as if he did not altogether welcome this second opportunity for distinguishing himself. When he spoke it was with a sort of angry anxiety. 'You think yourselves very clever, I dare say,' he said; 'but you needn't fancy you'll take me in! Come, you had better say so at once--you did this yourselves? It is not half bad--I will say that for it.' 'That we didn't,' cried Guy. 'Why, just look at it, Tinling. Any one could see that it's an Indian's doing. No, it's all right; they really are coming.' 'It's all skittles, I tell you,' said Clarence, still more angrily, though he was paler again now. 'What should Indians come here for?' 'Well, he says why, there,' said Jack, 'and they came the other evening.' Clarence's colour rose again. 'That's different,' he said; 'I mean, it's not the same tribe.' 'No, these are Black Bogallalas,' said Jack. 'What were the first ones, Tinling?' 'I didn't ask them,' said the General shortly. 'How many braves should you think Wah Na What's-his-name will bring?' asked Guy. 'As many as came the other evening? How many did come the first time?' 'Do you think I had nothing better to do than count?' he retorted. 'Is there anything else you would like to know?' 'Well, we'll hang out the lantern to-night, and watch how many come inside its rays,' said Jack, with a briskness which displeased his chief. 'You wouldn't be quite so jolly cheerful over it if you knew what it was like!' he grumbled. 'Why not?' said Guy. 'You beat the others easily enough by yourself, and we shall be three this time.' 'Oh, it's all very fine to talk,' retorted the General; 'but we shall see what your mother and uncle say about it. They--they may think we ought not to take any notice of it.' Jack's eyes opened wide at this. 'Not take any notice of an attack by Black Bogallalas! I don't see how we can very well help noticing it!' 'It all depends on what Mrs. Jolliffe says,' replied the conscientious General. 'I'm only a visitor here, and it wouldn't be the right thing for me to lead you into danger without leave.' 'Well, you weren't so particular the first time the Indians came!' remarked Guy. 'Will you shut up about that first time!' the Commander burst out, in exasperation; 'it's the second time now--that is, if it isn't all humbug. That's what I mean to find out first--you stay here till I come back, will you?' Taking the strip of bark with him, he went slowly up to the house. He had an uneasy feeling that the Indian's challenge was genuine enough, but he still hoped to have it pronounced a forgery. This may seem strange indeed to some, considering the courage of which he had already given proof, but I do not wish to make any further mystery, particularly as most of my readers will probably have already guessed the secret of this apparent contrast.