Long Gun’s example and his fright were contagious, to a certain degree. Seeing him run, Bony and Sam turned also, for they thought the Indian heard or recognized some danger. Then, as the noise ceased, they stopped in their progress toward the tent.
“What in the world do you suppose that was?” asked Sam.
“You’ve got me,” was Bony’s answer, while, in his excitement, he cracked his knuckles on the double-quick. “What do you think it was, Jack?”
“Blessed if I know. It sounded like a big bird, or, maybe, a whole lot of them. But Long Gun wouldn’t be frightened of some birds, even if they were eagles.”
“Let’s ask him,” suggested Nat.
They went into the tent, which was illuminated by a couple of lanterns, and found Long Gun groveling among his blankets.
“What was that, Long Gun?” asked Jack.
The Indian murmured something in his own tongue.
“Were they birds?” went on Jack. “What’s the matter with you?”