The Indian approached cautiously. His head pivoted from one direction to the other. Crunch was looking for the evil spirits.
“I have kept my promise, Crunch. I have not made the magic that would take me out of here.”
Crunch didn’t speak.
“I want you to let this man in here with me. I want to show you that we are your friends.”
Crunch was at the door. His hand pulled out the large key to the lock.
“Uncle Charlie, Crunch is going to let you come in with me. Then he will go back to the house for food for all of us—”
“But, Biff,” Charlie protested, “if I get locked in there with you—”
“It will be all right, Uncle Charlie. Crunch is our friend. We are his friends. Please, let me handle this my way.”
Charlie Keene shrugged his shoulders. “Okay, Biff.”
Crunch turned the key in the lock. He swung the door open. Charlie Keene entered, and Crunch closed and locked the door. Without another word, he disappeared in the darkness on the way to the big house.