I said. “The entire Seneca nation is here with Indian Butler and Brant.”

“Well, then, we’ll turn your Butler into a turn-spit, and make of your wild Brant a domestic gander!”

He spoke coolly, a slight smile on his eager, handsome features. And I wondered how he could make a jest of this business, and how he could have permitted so mad a prank if he truly entertained any very deep regard for Lana Helmer.

“Danger,” I repeated coldly. “Yes, there is a-plenty of that hereabouts, what with the Seneca scalping parties combing the woods around us, and the cattle-guard fired upon in plain sight of headquarters.”

“Well, there were and still are some few scalping parties