Frank had spotted Half Hand, and he felt that it would be some satisfaction to send a bullet after the villainous half-blood.
"He is at the bottom of this business," thought the boy. "He would not hesitate at murder."
Nearly an hour passed after Old Rocks crept away before the guide appeared. At last, to the astonishment of Frank and the utter consternation of the Indians, the man seemed to rise up in the very midst of the camp, as if he had suddenly sprouted from the ground.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
THE RESCUE.
A yell of astonishment broke from the throats of the Indians who were awake, and it brought the sleepers out of their blankets in a moment.
With the utmost coolness, Old Rocks stepped toward the fire, sat down on a log near the sleeping child, and took out his black pipe.
"Any o' you fellers got any good smokin' terbacker?" he asked, coolly. "I ain't got northin' left but chawin', an thet's derned pore stuff ter burn."
"Ugh!" grunted the Blackfeet, staring at him in unutterable amazement.