"You must make up your mind to-night, for I am going to leave early in the morning," said Sam.
"Oh, all right. I on hand," was the chief's reply.
Again they consulted together, and Sam could see that four men remained behind to watch, while the others, with the chief, went down to the fire.
All this time Sam was in great trouble about Ulna, for he did not even suspect that he was a prisoner in the hands of his cruel tribal foes.
Ike and Wah Shin were in great tribulation about themselves, for they had no faith in the Indians; indeed, they firmly believed that the Apaches would scalp them all on the morrow.
Ike gave expression to his feelings in the remark:
"When we was down in that yar canyon den I felt ez if I'd rudder be in any odder place in dis worl', or de nex'; but now I'd a heap sight sooner be down dar dan up yar."
Though tired and sleepy, Sam could not think of closing his eyes that night, for he feared to trust Ike or Wah Shin on guard, and he half expected an attack from the Apaches before morning.
He knew that any attempt at escape would be detected, and might hasten the struggle he was so anxious to avoid.
More than once he wished himself back in the cañon, but the thought that he was nearer to his father, and the hope that after all the Indians might not be so bad as he feared, gave him courage to face the future.