“They will not molest him,” Donald insisted.
“If we send air men in after him are they likely to be in danger?” Seaman asked quietly.
“They are.” He turned to the Flying Buddies. “I believe that you are the first white men who have been through the Black Range Woods, seen what you have seen, and lived to tell your story,” he told them quietly.
“I’ve heard that no white man who entered them during the time of the Butterfly Flight ever came out. As a matter of fact, I understand they have never been heard from again,” the doctor added soberly.
“We were lucky,” Jim answered.
“I say,” Bob turned to the young Indian. “Tell us about this thing, will you?” He glanced about the room. “I’m sure we should all be glad to hear something and none of us will speak of it outside this room.”
“You can depend upon us,” Ruhel spoke up.
“Well—” Donald glanced at his father.
“Donald doesn’t often discuss the—er things which are very close to his people,” Manwell answered for the boy. “Not even with us.”
“There are some things I may tell you,” he replied, “but they must not be repeated before the womenfolk. I shall be glad to have this opportunity to talk of them now if we will not be interrupted.” He glanced at the captain. Immediately that gentleman went to the door, and signaled to an orderly who stood at attention further down the hall.