"All right, pardner, if you say you don't like our sassiety we won't force it on you. We'd like good company back to Felton, anyhow, an' the sojers has plenty o' grub. Adios!"
With a wave of the hand, the sergeant led his column out of the clearing, and, climbing the hill, struck into the southwest, where lay the fort.
When they were gone Singing Bird came out of the woods in which she had been hiding, for she was in mortal terror of Woofer.
When she knew that Woofer was in the vicinity she had run into the woods and immediately climbed into a tall pine tree that grew on the hill, where she was sure he would not be able to find her.
Now, when she came forth, she ran to Stella, in a very much excited state.
"Sister," she cried. "I have found it!"
"Found what?" asked Stella, in surprise at the girl's emotion, for usually she had the stoicism of her Indian blood.
"I have found the place of the secret, the place of the mother gold," cried Singing Bird, trembling with excitement.
"I have seen it, the place where my mother lay," she continued, when her excitement had somewhat passed away.
"How?" asked the puzzled Stella.