Page:Gray Eagle (1927).pdf/115

 rest leading the way. He could hear the swish of the broad black-edged wings and could almost distinguish the color of the dark-brown eyes in the great elongated heads which, as though weighed down by the long, curved, heavy bills, were carried a little low. Both joy and trouble were in the little old man's face as, tilting back in his chair, he peered up at them as they passed—a splendid sight, indeed, their big white bodies and wings shining like silver in the morning light.

"There they go," he muttered, "old Sanute in command."

For a half-minute after the last of them had passed he continued to gaze upward. Slowly the delight which the spectacle of the ibis army never failed to bring him faded from his face as though yielding reluctantly to some insidious, repugnant thought which would not be denied.

"So Cam's going to kill you, is he?" he said aloud—"going to kill you and send me your head? Well, you're a wise old chief, Sanute, and Red Cam will never lift your scalp."

The boast seemed to dispel his fears. For a moment he smiled. But almost instantly the smile vanished. The vivid blue eyes hardened and narrowed and with a bang he brought down the uptilted legs of his chair.

"By God!" he exclaimed, striking his clenched