"In Heaven's name, Peterson, you are not going to do that?"
"I reckon I is. Eh, Dick?"
"In course, we must have their top-knots," replied Dingle, producing his hunting-knife.
"You are as much a savage as they are," said Mansfield, turning his back upon the sickening scene.
The two rangers were not to be deterred from scalping the Indians, although they had enough respect for the feelings of Mansfield, to go through the disgusting operation without their usual remark and braggadocio.
"They'd 've been glad to 've done that same thing for us," said Peterson.
"Freeze me," said Dingle, "if I don't believe thar is more of 'em round h'yer. S'posen we take a look? Jenkins, look through the bushes thar by you."
All, including Mansfield, now commenced searching the wood to see whether any of their number had crawled away to die in secret. Jenkins had beat about but a few minutes, when he exclaimed:
"Come here, quick! there's somebody under this bush! Just hear him groan!"
All hastened thither; and, as Dingle pulled aside the bush, the white, ghastly face of the renegade McGable was seen turned toward them.