"Hello!" shouted Collins, as he and his companions dismounted and looked up at the three famished people on the rock. "How did you three gents and the dog git up thar?"
It was evident from this question that Collins was not acquainted with the rock.
"On the other side," said Sam.
"All right; we'll find the way and come up."
"Better save the trouble," said Sam. "We'll come down, and glad we are of the chance."
"Glad!" cried Ike; "dat word don't nigh begin foh to 'spress dis yar chile's feelin's. I'ze full, chuck full ob downright bliss, I is. Come along, Maj and Wah, foh it does seem powahful like's ef de trouble had jest 'bout come to an ind."
Down over the ruin of the wall they clambered, and at the foot stood Ulna—the faithful.
The Indian may be a stoic under suffering, but there are no people in the world so ready to give expression to joy, nor so demonstrative where the better impulses of the heart are called out.
"Sam! Sam! My friend, thank God you are safe!" cried Ulna, and his eyes looked larger and blacker for their tears as he caught his friend to his breast and kissed him first on one cheek and then on the other.
Ike and Wah Shin shook hands with every one again and again, and then they jointly performed a joy-dance, in which the dog joined, to the music of his own glad barking.