will be loyal to me because I see that God gave you a softness of heart
which your brain tells you is unwise. But what string pulls this
Indian that she should be a traitor to her people? If you will give me
a hint, I will play upon it as best I can."

I could only shrug. "It may be my man, Pierre," I hazarded. "He is
red as a flamingo, and a fool into the bargain; but he has shoulders
like an ox, so the women want him. I can see no other motive. Will
you trust to that, monsieur?"

He looked back at me with the flicker of a smile. "It is sufficient."

I do not like smiles that I cannot understand, so I changed the
subject. "The plan is simple, monsieur," I said briskly. "Singing
Arrow will come to the window, and you are to make love to her. After
a time--not too long--you are to beguile her inside. I think the
guards will be complaisant, if you play your part well. Be as debonair
as possible. A soldier is always tempted to be lenient to a jaunty
foe."

The prisoner nodded. "And you will meet me?"

"Outside in the camp. I shall stand near a fire, so that you can find
me at once. Remember, monsieur, that you are Singing Arrow, and that
it will be your cue to follow me, and mine to shrug you away."

The Englishman drew a long breath. "I am ready, monsieur," he said,
with a little squaring of the shoulders, and I saw that, mortal danger
that he was in, his spirit yet responded to the touch of comedy in the
game.