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And now the Oneidas were co up around my horse, and I heard everywhere ht mine, and painted faces were lifted to e of the war-party's executioner relaxing into the merriest of smiles

"Onehda," he said, "do you remember that feast when you were raised up?"

"Does an Oneida and a Wolf forget?" I said, s abouther saddle at a little distance, watched us wide-eyed

"Brothers," I said quietly, "a new rose has budded in Tryon County The Oneidas will guard it for the honor of their nation, lest the northern frost coht the blossom"

Two score dark eyes flashed on Elsin She started; then a smile broke out on her flushed face as a painted warrior stalked sole, and lifted the hem of her foot-mantle to his lips One by one the Oneidas followed, perfor back to stand with folded arms as the head of the column appeared at the bend of the road

I called Little Otter to one there were no signs of Mohawk or Cayuga, but that the bush beyond should be traversed with caution So I called in the flanking rangers, replacing the the balance of the band forward on a trot, waited five minutes, then started on with a solid phalanx of rifleuard the rear

As we rode, Elsin and I talking in low tones, h the di to alarm us that I noted, save once when I saw another stone set upon a stone; but I knew my Oneidas had also seen and examined it, and it had not alarmed them sufficiently to send a warrior back to me

It was an Oneida symbol; but, of course, my scouts had not set it up Therefore it must have been placed there by an enemy, but for what purpose except to arrest the attention of an Oneida and prepare hinals, I could not yet determine Mount had seen it, and spoken of it, but I shook ns

Signs came sooner than I expected We passed stone after stone set on end, all e the desire of somebody to arrest the attention of an Oneida Could it be I? A vague premonition had scarcely taken shape in my mind when, at a turn in the road, I ca in the center of the road The seven othersof the that instantly riveted and absorbed my attention