"Uhr," jeered Red, but Isham stood silent.
"Well?" he inquired.
"And as a Southerner myself," went on the prisoner, but Isham cut him off short.
"You ignorant, black rascal," he burst out in a fury, "don't you dare to open your mouth and say a word agin the Scarboroughs or I'll kick your doggoned head off. You've got Injun blood yourse'f, if I'm any judge, and I know for a certainty you're going into the Basin to throw in with them dirty, black Bassetts!"
"No, you are mistaken," answered the prisoner firmly. "I'm just looking for a certain party that I know."
"Oho!" exclaimed Red, stooping to feel for his badge, "so we've picked up an officer, have we?"
"No, again," replied the prisoner. "I am looking for a friend, and your quarrels are nothing to me."
"Well, er—who is this friend?" inquired Isham suspiciously, but the stranger shook his head.
"I cannot tell you that, but I give you my word of honor I am not going in to join the Bassetts. And now, if you'll kindly untie these ropes——"