Just as he spoke the villain in question entered the

tent with a bold, haughty air, and sat down before the

fire in sullen silence. For some minutes no one spoke,

and Henri, who happened at the time to be examining

the locks of Dick's rifle, continued to inspect them with

an appearance of careless indifference that he was far

from feeling.

Now, this rifle of Dick's had become a source of

unceasing wonder to the Indians--wonder which was

greatly increased by the fact that no one could discharge