"I will go out and try to learn their purpose," said Ulna, as he slung his rifle on his back, and tightened his belt.
"But they may catch you," said Sam.
"I will see that they don't."
"Can you understand them if you hear them speak?"
"Yes, as well as if they were Utes. It is better that I should go, and if I find that it will be wiser not to return, remember I shall either escape to Hurley's Gulch, or stay so close that I can be of service if needed. But, if it can be avoided, do not bring on a fight with these people."
Sam was about to protest against Ulna's course, but before he could utter a word the young Ute had sprung lightly over the rocks, and was making his way to the spring.
For the first time since leaving Gold Cave Camp Sam Willett felt thoroughly alarmed.
He had fearlessly faced the storm and stood undaunted in the presence of Nature in her most awful aspects, without losing heart for a moment, but the presence of these savages—ignorant and bloodthirsty—made him tremble for the safety of his dear father, to whose rescue he was straining every nerve to come.
Ulna's daring and seemingly reckless conduct filled Sam with alarm, for apart from his great regard for that youth, he knew that he could not offer a strong resistance to the Apaches with only the inexpert Ike and Wah Shin to depend on.
"I wouldn't ha' did wat Ulna's done," said Ike, in a frightened whisper. "No, not for fifty hundred thousand million dollars in goold an' solit dimeints."