"Go to your grandmother," said Ted. "Where is Singing Bird?"
"She in Running Bear wigwam. Mebbe so you like Singing Bird. You can have same go away."
"What, and leave you in possession of all this gold? Not likely."
"Then Running Bear make you. Hate white boy. Not make play this time."
Before Ted was aware of his intention, the Indian had sprung upon him from the side. He was immensely powerful, and forced Ted backward toward the edge of the pit, evidently with the intention of breaking his neck by the fall.
But Ted managed to get a good hold at last, and forced him back gradually.
Then Running Bear came at him with greater strength, and again they wrestled perilously near the edge of the pit.
Running Bear took advantage of Ted's trip over the loose tree roots, and slowly forced him backward, in spite of his herculean efforts, to the pit's edge.
He had bent Ted's head back until his neck cracked, and if he threw him into the pit, it likely would kill him.
From where they stood, on the opposite side of the pit, none of the boys could get a shot at Running Bear without endangering the life of Ted.