Then they sat there on their horses and watched till the old Indian and his remarkable burden disappeared amid the rocks. Just before vanishing from view, Old Joe Crowfoot paused, turned and looked down on the boys. Then he made a gesture that seemed to be one of warning. The boy, still clinging to the back of his peculiar companion, took off his wide hat and waved it gaily. A moment later they were gone.
Frank and Bart sat there, staring upward and remaining silent for some moments. At last Merriwell said:
“Well, that little affair is over. Let’s move along and see what will happen next.”
“I don’t understand it,” muttered Hodge, in disappointed perplexity.
“Nor do I,” confessed Frank cheerfully.
“It’s strange.”
“Mighty strange.”
“A white boy and an Indian.”
“Companions beyond a doubt.”
“Yet the boy threw a stone at the Indian.”