"The longer they talk the louder they get, which is a sure sign the dispute is getting hotter, which is another sign it'll be considerable time before they get through."
"I am sure we can wait as long as they can," said Dick, mildly.
"My heavens! who said we couldn't? Just hear 'em jabber!"
The conversation of the Indians had now become so earnest, that every word spoken was distinctly heard by the Riflemen. The latter, from the dress and actions of the savages, understood they had no chief with them, but were merely seven warriors, who had been out on this barbarous expedition, and were returning to their town with the booty and the captive they had secured.
"They're talking in the Shawnee tongue," said Lewis. "Can't you understand what they're driving at?"
"If you only keep your jaws shut a minute or two, I could; but if you three fellers mean to talk all the time, I should like to know how I am going to understand any thing they say. See whether you can keep quiet a minute, just."
Tom's companions did as requested, while he bent his head forward, and seemed to concentrate all his faculties into the one of listening. Upon the part of the Riflemen all was still as death. After several minutes of the acutest attention, Tom raised his head, and said, with a glowing expression:
"They're talking about us."
"The deuce! what are they saying?"
"Don't you see they're pointing up the river and across it? Well, the meaning of all that is, that they're wondering which way we'll come from."