The horses had been left in a little pocket some distance behind and they had climbed on foot to the point where they could look down into the round valley.
"No need watch um now," said Joe. "Um hosses all picket fast. We go down there, better go quick."
"Correct," agreed Frank. "Just show us how to get down."
"Follow," said the redskin. "Take heap care."
The path over which he led them, if path it may be called, was precarious enough. At times they felt that they were on the edge of some precipice, with a great fall lying beneath. But the aged redskin went forward with surprising swiftness, causing them all to strain[Pg 284] every nerve to keep up with him, and in time he brought them down into the valley.
"Take lot care," cautioned Crowfoot. "Have guns reddy. No can tell. May have to use um 'fore git out."
"It's quite likely," said Merry grimly.
So they all made sure that their pistols could be drawn quickly and readily, and then they crept toward the dark huts, from the windows of which lights gleamed.
The sounds of fiddling and dancing grew plainer and plainer. Now and then a shout would awake the echoes.
"Where do they find their 'ladies' for a dance?" asked Hodge wonderingly.