“Heap good work! Steady Hand teach Injun Heart mighty big white man trick with him hands. Um can fight white man way heap good! Ugh!”
This was much for the old savage to say, and it gave Dick a thrill of pride and satisfaction.
“He would have hurt you, Joe,” said the boy. “He was ready to do it!”
“No hurt me.”
“But he was ready to.”
“No hurt me,” insisted the Indian.
“Why not? You could not fight him with your fists.”
“Knife heap ready. Him strike with fist, Joe strike with knife. Cut him heart in two mighty quick!”
“It is plain that you saved the fellow’s life, Dick,” said Frank, his hand falling on the shoulder of his brother; “yet I hardly think he would thank you if he knew it. You showed that I have not wasted my time and yours in giving you boxing-lessons. I am rather proud of the way in which you put the young thug out of commission.”