Bart’s hand fell on the shoulder of Frank, who was kneeling, with one arm about the little girl. That touch told that Hodge was beginning to realize just what Merry’s questions were leading to, which filled him with eagerness.
“What is your papa’s name?” asked Merry, and then held his breath as he waited for the answer.
“I just call him papa,” said the child. “Please take me to him. He will be so sorry when he finds I’m not at home.”
“In a moment we’ll take you to him. You call him papa, but what do others call him?”
“Nobody ever comes here much, except Old Joe, and he calls my papa Silent Tongue.”
“Who is Old Joe?”
“A good Indian.”
Merry started a bit, and then quickly asked:
“Do you mean Old Joe Crowfoot?”
“Papa calls him Crowfoot sometimes. Please take me to my papa.”