“He wants a pow-wow,” Luck called back to the bunch. “You fellows stay where you're at I'm going out there in the middle and talk to him.”
“Now, Luck, don't let 'em make a dang monkey outa ye,” Applehead protested anxiously. “Injuns is tricky—”
“That's all right. You can keep a couple of rifles sighted on that old chief—that's what he is, I take it, from his actions and his talking 'sign' and then if they pot me, you can pot him. But they won't. I know Injuns better than you do, Applehead. He just wants to talk things over—and I'm certainly willing that he should!”
“Well, Lite, you keep your sights lined up on that Injun, then. 'N' if they's a crooked move made towards Luck, you cut loose—'n' say! You shoot to kill, this time!” He shook his finger in Lite's face admonishingly. “'S all right t' nip “em here 'n' take a hunk out there jest t' kinda take their minds off'n us—-'s all right enough so fur, 'n' I ain't kickin' none 'cause yuh ain't killed off yuh hit. But if this here's a trick t' git Luck, you KILL that Injun. 'N' if you don't do it I'll go out there m'self 'n' choke the dang skunk t' death!”
“I'll kill him—don't worry about that,” Lite promised—and the look in his eyes told them that the Indian was doomed at the first sign of treachery.
“You fellers wanta keep an eye peeled fer them in the grove,” Applehead warned. “We ain't goin' t' give 'em no chanst t' sneak up 'n' skulp us whilst we're watchin' Luck 'n' his dang-fool pow-wowin' out there in the middle.”
“Aw, gwan! They wouldn't DAST skelp white folks!” There was a wail in the voice of Happy Jack.
“They dast if they git the chanst,” Applehead retorted fretfully. “'N' if you don't wanta loose that there red mop uh yourn ye better keep yer eyes open, now I'm tellin' yuh!” He refilled his rifle magazine and took up his station beside Lite Avery where he could watch the Frying-pan through the bushes without exposing himself to a treacherous shot from the rim-rock.
At the foot of the sandstone ledge the Indian stood with his bright red blanket wrapped around him watching Luck. On his own side Luck stood just clear of the rock huddle and watched the Indian. Presently he of the red blanket lifted his hand in the gesture of peace, and started deliberately out across the bare little basin. From his own side, Luck, returning again the gesture, went out to meet him. In the center they met, and eyed each other frankly. Still eyeing Luck, the old Indian put out his hand Indian fashion, and Luck grave it one downward shake and let go.
“How?” he grunted; and in the Indian custom of preparing for a leisurely pow-wow as he had been taught by the Sioux, he squatted upon his boot heels and reached for his cigarette papers and tobacco.