“Did you see nothin’ of the speckled and ring-tailed critter?”
“Nothin’, but I see’d sign.”
“Blazes! whar?”
“Off yonder.”
As he replied he pointed off to the left, which was in a totally different direction from the one leading toward the Meagan village, proof that they were hostile Indians.
“Thar’s ’bout a dozen,” added old Stebbins. “They’re Blackfeet in thar war-paint, and they’re goin’ fur somebody.”
“Bad ’cess to ’em!” exclaimed Teddy, who had managed to light his pipe. “Give us the chance and we’ll show ’em a thing or two.”
The matter was discussed pro and con, when it was agreed that the three should separate and take different directions. Each of the three were to search for gold and Indians. By this means there was a better prospect of finding the precious metal than if they went in company, and if danger from the Blackfeet threatened, there was scarcely a possibility that it would escape the vigilance of all three.
Old Stebbins took somewhat the same route that he followed in his morning hunt, his principal purpose being to look out for Blackfeet. Teddy went up the brook, his object being gold, while Black Tom, after getting clear of the cañon, diverged to the right, his purpose being both.
Leaving the two former to themselves for the present, it becomes necessary once more to follow the adventures of Black Tom.