But the Modoc had no intention of obliging his chiefs; for he stepped forward and addressed the Klamath.
“Coquil has killed a Modoc,” he said, sternly. “Let him tell why he did this?”
“Coquil will speak. He and Wiaquil were devouring some venison in the deep cave, when the boy came, and we gave him food. We told him that we were from Arrow-Head, and after awhile he went to get his gun which he had hidden beside the river. All at once he shot at his Klamath brethren—basely shot at them from behind a rock, and then fled like the deer. The ball crossed Wiaquil’s eyes, and made him blind for a while. So, Mouseh, when he came here, Coquil’s blood became as hot as boiling water, and when he thought of the base shot he could not bridle his knife arm.”
Captain Jack glanced at his chiefs when the Klamath finished, and saw the vengeful expression leave their faces.
They pardoned Coquil when they heard the cause for the death-blow he had just delivered.
“Coquil and his brother are still Mouseh’s friends. Sequesta was a wild boy at the best,” and the chieftain glanced at the corpse which the Klamath had lowered to the ground.
“We will stay and fight with Mouseh till Arrow-Head comes,” said Wiaquil, speaking for the first time, and when his voice reached the listeners on the cliff, Artena suddenly caught Donald’s arm. Then her lips touched his ears.
“Wiaquil is not a Klamath,” she whispered. “He is Cohoon!”
The words astounded the ranger and he shot her a look of incredulity.
“His voice can’t deceive Artena,” she returned.