"He will do nothing at present—the time is not ripe. The war hatchet is not dug up when the snow covers the ground."
"I know that. But we want no trouble in the spring either."
At this, White Buffalo shrugged his shoulders.
"Who can tell what the moons to come will bring forth?" he said. "The sun comes up and man is alive; it sets, and the last rays fall upon his grave. The Great Spirit of the happy hunting ground rules, but the face of the Great Spirit is hidden from the eyes of the red man and the eyes of the white man as well."
CHAPTER XVII
THE ATTACK ON THE PACK-TRAIN
With the coming of spring, both James Morris and Dave looked eagerly for the time when Henry and Barringford should return to the trading-post with many articles which were much needed, and with what was better yet, news from home.
"I can hardly wait for Henry to get here." said Dave one day. "There is so much I want to know about."
"You must be patient, Dave," returned his parent. "The trails are by no means good yet, and it may be that they have not got started on the journey."
The Indians were now bringing in many beaver skins, to exchange for blankets and powder, but James Morris had nothing to offer them. Many came from a great distance and were much disappointed, so it was not long before the trader looked for the coming pack-train as anxiously as did Dave.