The Irishman now produced his watch—an immense affair that would have made a load for a small child. He pried open its gigantic case and showed the dazzling array of brass wheels and the glittering coil of steel. It could not but be attractive to a savage mind, and the Indian's eyes sparkled as he looked upon it.
"Keep yours and let me offer mine," said Howard.
"Howld on, I tell yees, howld on; maybe you'll both have to offer 'em afore he'll bite. My repater is like myself—it took too much salt water for its good and hasn't been well for a few months. If the ould thing would only tick a little he couldn't resist it; it has a beautiful voice when it starts—like a thrashing machine."
Equally to the surprise of Tim and the boys, the savage arose and handed the gun to the Irishman, who was only too glad to put his watch and three knives into his possession.
"I only wish he had a couple more," said Howard, "so that we could each get one. We ought to be able to take care of ourselves then."
Tim in the meantime was turning the rifle over in his hand and examining it with an appearance of great pleasure.
"That come from San Francisco," said he.
"How did it reach these parts?"
"Aisy enough, as me uncle said when he fell off the house. Some trader has let him have it for about five hundred dollars' worth of furs and peltries."
"Don't forget the ammunition," admonished Elwood, "or the gun will do us little good."