It was no will of mine that made me say the words, but it was Areskoui directing me to utter them.

So, I know, O, my comrade, that Tandakora cannot fall to your rifle now.

His time is not today, but it will come as surely as the sun sets behind the peaks." Tayoga spoke with such intense earnestness that Robert looked at him, and his face, seen through the battle smoke, had all the rapt expression of a prophet's.

The white youth felt, for the moment at least, with all the depth of conviction, the words of the red youth would come true.

Then the tremendous voice of Tandakora boomed above the firing and yelling, but, as before, his body remained invisible.