Behind her, on a large boulder of rock, sat Warren Rody! Nelatu was on the point of rushing forward, when he was stayed by the negro's hand clutching his arm. "Not yet, massa," he whispered, "you'd be shot afore you get two steps in dar, and dis poor ole nigga would nebba get away 'gain. Let me go speak first, and gib Massa Rody de signal; and den I'll find a way to bring him out to you. Don't you see that'll be de best plan to fix him?" "I cannot trust you from my sight. Take your hand off my arm! let me go!" "Oh, massa, I shall be ruined, and murdered complete. Don't you see dat afore you reach him he'd see you and fire? De ole nigga's plan am de best. Let me bring de fox out ob his hole!" Crookleg spoke reasonably. Nelatu might, it is true, have easily killed Warren from where he lay, but his sister's presence, Wacora's command, and a certain reluctance to shed blood, stayed his hand. "Well, then, do it, but on conditions." "What conditions, Massa Injun? Name 'em, and I'se obey." "That you bring him away from my sister's side out here into the open ground; that every word you speak shall be loud enough for me to hear. Go!" "I'll go, massa." "See!" As Nelatu uttered this monosyllable he tapped his rifle. Crookleg took the hint. "I'se swear, massa, do dis ting right! Dis ole nigga don't want no bullet through him karkiss. I'se swear to do as you say!" With this asseveration he rose erect and entered boldly among the bushes, while Nelatu concealed himself behind them. Warren started to his feet, calling out-- "Who's there?" "Hush, Massa Warren! It's only me--ole Crookleg." "Come in, Crookleg." "No, Massa Warren, you come out here. I'se want to show you somethin'." With a hasty glance at the slumbering maiden Warren Rody emerged from the cave. At the entrance he was suddenly confronted by Nelatu. "Nelatu!" A yell of fiendish laughter from Crookleg answered the exclamation. "He, he, he, he! ho, ho, ho! Oh, dat am de best ting dis ole nigga eber done! Ah, de time am comin' now! Ho, ho! Massa Warren, who kicked de ole dog of a nigga wot fetch and carry for de white man to de Injun gal? Ha, ha, ha! I 'clare to mercy it am splendid! Now I'll leave you two friends togedder; but don't quarrel--don't! Only remember, Massa Warren, remember Crookleg to your dyin' day!" With these words the negro darted off, and was soon lost to sight behind the bushes. Warren stood grating his teeth in impotent rage. He saw that he had fallen into a trap laid for him by Crookleg. Nelatu stirred not an inch. Again young Rody pronounced his name. "Nelatu!" "Yes, Nelatu--the brother of Sansuta! Does not the sight of me turn you into stone? Is your heart so hardened that you do not tremble?" Warren gave a short, mocking laugh. "Go away from here," he said; "I owe no account of my actions to any one." "Yes, you owe an account of them to that Great Spirit who is alike your God and mine." "Pah! stand aside, I say."