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 In that case, the man deserves a present," Skidi declared. "Let a present be given in exchange for the horse and the American may go."

"To whom shall the present be given?" White Wolf inquired.

"I will take the present, and give it to the man who owns the horse," said Skidi. "But of course if he has done this good deed he may wish to be secret about it, and if he is accused of having done an evil deed in the first place, he does not wish to be pointed at as a thief."

"The American chief sent no present. He only asked for a horse that had been taken from him. Here it is, left on the prairie at my door, and I give it back to him."

With that, Chief Charakterik stood and folded his robe around him, as sign that he was done. The soldier rose, also.

But the squad led by Skidi murmured angrily. Somebody reached to grasp the horse's neck rope—

"No. Let him take it. He will not go far."

"There will be a red scalp, for a dance, to-night."

"The Americans will think the Pawnee are cowards, if all they need do is ask for a horse and get it."

"You talk like children," White Wolf reproved. "Who among you claims the horse? Nobody. Why