SMOKING OUT THE ENEMY. 277 



Noon had long passed when they became conscious of some one 

 calling from below, and saw an Indian standing in front of the 

 house, waving a white rag, and indicating by his motions a desire 

 to speak. Laidlaw mounted the steps to the platform on which 

 the light was placed, and which extended some distance over the 

 tower, and, moving cautiously to the edge in such a manner that 

 only his head was exposed to observation from below, called out 

 to the Indian to inquire his message. 



" Indian wants to talk." 



" Well, what is it ? Go on," answered Laidlaw. 



"Indian going away — he wants peace. Indian will do no 

 harm. Give him one blanket and he goes." 



" Why did you fire at me last evening ? " 



" Indian was wrong — Indian much drink — Indian is sorry. 

 Give Indian one blanket." 



The savage held up one finger to denote the smallness of his 

 wants, and his other hand he pressed to his breast. His face was 

 free of paint, and he carried no arms and spoke very pleasantly, 

 and with a graceful gesture. 



" What shall we do, Louisa ? " asked the uncle, turning around 

 to the trap-door, through which his niece's head appeared, as she 

 listened attentively to the conversation. 



" Tell him to take the blanket and go. We will see if he will 

 do it" 



Laidlaw told the Indian, who, after a pause, replied : " Indian 

 can't take blanket — say Indian stole blanket." 



" Uncle, it is all a cheat. Look out for them," whispered Lou. 



"No, we will not come out to bid you good-bye. Take the 

 goods you want and be off." 



The Indian seemed disappointed, judging from his manner as 

 he turned on his heel and disappeared in the bushes, while the old 

 man descended to the securer retreat of the tower. 



The light-house in which Lou and her uncle were entrenched 

 was the ordinary columner-shaped edifice that may be seen at 

 intervals all along the coast at the present time. It was built of 

 unhewn stone, to the height of about six feet from the sand, and 

 then of concrete — a composition of broken shell and mortar — for 



