It was perfectly feasible. Nothing can be easier than to counterfeit the semblance of the American Indian. The colour of the skin is of no consequence. Ochre, charcoal, and vermilion made red man and white man as like as need be; and for the hair, the black tail of a horse, half-covered and confined by the great plumed bonnet, with its crest dropping backward, is a disguise not to be detected. The proud savage doffs his eagle plumes to no living man; and even the most intrusive Mormon would not dare to scrutinise too closely the _coiffure_ of an Indian warrior. The plan was rendered further practicable, by a new and able ally enlisting himself into our ranks. This was the trapper, Archilete, who, from a hint given him by the Utah chief, at once volunteered to act as the guide. The Mexican had already conceived an instinctive antipathy towards the Mormon "hereticos;" and we might rely upon his fidelity to our cause. The scheme exactly suited the eccentric character of this singular man; and he entered upon his duties _con amore_, and at once. By his assistance we soon procured the required costumes and pigments; but neither were to be "put on" in the presence of the Utahs. It was necessary that Wa-ka-ra should not be compromised by a too conspicuous "intervention." The friendly chief had hinted a further promise to Marian--even an open interference in our favour--should that become necessary. He would follow close after the Mormon train; and, should our design prove a failure, might _then use his influence_ on our behalf. This would have been the best news of all. With such a prospect, we should have had little to fear for the result; but alas! before leaving the ground, an incident occurred that threatened to prevent our generous ally from fulfilling that promise, however formally he might have made it. CHAPTER NINETY. PROTECTOR AND PROTEGEE.