“Just as ye please. Any thin’ ’ll suit this ole hoss. I was only speakin’ for yer own good.”
They encamped, accordingly, on the elevation that Silverspur had pointed out, and the night was passed in rest and tranquility. Early in the morning they resumed their journey; but it was not long before they came to a halt, on descrying a large body of horsemen approaching them from the north.
“Who are those, old friend?” asked Silverspur. “They can hardly be your Arapahoes, as they would not be likely to come upon us from that direction.”
“Not ’Rapahoes, but Injuns fur all that,” replied the hunter.
“They are too many for us, then. Hadn’t we better turn toward the hills and get out of their way?”
“They are friends.”
“How do you know that?”
“Your young eyes ort to be better than my old ’uns. Cain’t ye see that thar’s white men among ’em?”
“I believe I do, since you have mentioned it.”