"Two can make killing," he said, in perfectly plain English.
"Perhaps they can," said Ted quickly. "But I want to say to you particularly, that if you are ever seen within the lines of the Long Tom Ranch again you will be sorry that you ever were born. I have said enough. Get on your horses and go. You are now on the ranch. Get beyond it."
The young Indian gave a short, harsh laugh, and strode toward a pony, decorated after the fashion of war ponies with feathers and bits of red flannel woven into his mane and tail.
The other Indians were not slow to follow his example, and soon they were all mounted.
"Now look out for treachery," said Ted in an aside to the boys.
"Keep your eyes peeled, fellows," said Ben, passing the word along back.
"Ride up in open order so that we can surround that bunch if they get gay," said Ted, in a low voice, and the boys rode out and scattered themselves in a long line.
The Indians were bunched pretty well together.
It was a critical moment.
The slightest suspicious move on the part of the boys might have alarmed the Indians and started a fight.