Melville promptly obeyed, assuming the same posture that his friend had taken. Closing his eyes, so as to shut out everything that might distract his senses, he gave all his efforts to that of hearing.
Yes, he did hear something—just the faintest irregular beating on the ground—so faint indeed that he would not have believed it anything except for what the Sioux had said.
"Hear nuffin?" asked the other, as the boy came to his feet.
"Yes, I think I did hear a faint noise."
"What him be?"
"That's more than I can tell, Red Feather."
"Hoss—hear hoss walking—dat what hear."
"Is that the fact?" asked Melville, somewhat startled, peering toward the same point of the compass at which the chief had gazed though the lad had no other idea of the right course.
"Hoss—he come dis way."
"If that is so there is likely to be someone on him, and I don't think it is well for us to meet him."