Obedient to the medicine man’s gestures, the Scouts followed him through the empty village. Walking fast, Ino conducted them along a rugged path. They came to a spring where he permitted everyone to drink deeply and fill the canteens.
Jack noticed another trail leading upward at a steep angle. He turned as if to take it, only to have Ino reprimand him sharply. The medicine man pointed to the other path which descended.
“Follow trail,” he ordered.
“Say, you speak pretty fair English,” Jack remarked. “Thanks for helping us out of this mess. But before we go, how about telling us who you really are?”
“Yeah, who are you?” Willie demanded.
“Me Ino.”
“He answers that way to everything,” War chuckled. “For once, it came exactly right! He doesn’t understand much we say, but he’s our friend just the same.”
Jack had his own opinion of Ino’s comprehension. Nevertheless, he kept his thoughts to himself.
Grasping Ino’s rough hand, he pressed it in token of gratitude. He then offered Mr. Livingston a supporting arm, and began the long trek.