The natives made no attempt to stop them.
Sweets glanced back over his shoulder at Chief Faffin as they went. He was standing and intoning sadly, "Lacigule, lacigule, lacigule."
The following day, Bruckner called Sweets to his quarters.
"That was a rotten piece of business last night," Bruckner said. "But I'm proud of the way you acted. You did some mighty quick thinking there."
Sweets grunted. He knew the flattery was leading to something.
"I've been giving the matter some deep thought since," Bruckner continued, "and I don't think it's too late yet to patch things up. But I need a man with guts." He laughed. "How brave do you feel this morning?"
Sweets shrugged and regarded the other levelly.
"You can speak their language," Bruckner said. "And I don't believe they're sure enough of themselves to risk bloodshed. How would you like to bring another present to the chief? I'll see that you're—"
"I don't feel like being a hero this morning," Sweets interrupted. "Why don't you go yourself?"