"Why, I didn't suspect it was you," added Jack, hardly knowing how to address him.
Motoza would have lacked ordinary perception had he failed to see that the boys were friends. What impulse led him to do what he did it would be hard to explain, but without making any response to the remark of Jack he drew his knife, stooped over the carcass, and dextrously cut two large pieces from the haunches. Straightening up, he handed one to Jack and the other to Fred, with the words:
"Take, brothers."
"Thank you very much," replied Fred, accepting the "peace offering," while his friend made similar acknowledgment.
"Brothers want more?"
"That is plenty. We are obliged, and hope you will pardon our hasty words."
With the chronic grin on his painted face Motoza stood silent, as if the business was closed between them.
"That gives us our supper, Fred, and we may as well go back to camp. Good-by, Motoza."
The Sioux slightly nodded, but did not speak. Each boy, carrying his food, turned his back upon him and moved away in the direction of the camp. When they had gone a slight distance, Jack looked back and saw the Indian bent over the carcass of the buck and busy with his knife in securing a meal for himself. A few minutes later the parties were out of sight of each other.
At the first water they reached the lads carefully washed and dressed the venison and resumed their return to camp.