Guerrier willingly enough plunged the spoon into the kettle, and hooked a piece the largest yet. He set his teeth into it.
“Why, it’s dog, of course,” he informed, eating away.
“Dog!” gasped the doctor. “Thunder and Mars! Ugh! Why didn’t somebody say so?” And out he rushed.
Ned had suspected the same, but he had not been asked. Now chuckled and swayed the general and the lieutenant, smothering their glee.
“Let’s look further,” quoth the general. “There may be other surprises. Any sign of the Indians about, Guerrier?”
“No. Village deserted,” answered Guerrier.
They emerged from the lodge, into the moonlight, and rummaged here and there. Guerrier disappeared again.
“In my opinion,” remarked the general, “that half-breed knew of this all along. He was supposed to report to headquarters the first token that the village was being abandoned. Instead, he waited, to let the Indians clear out, then he reported. You know, his wife was in the village; and so he wanted to make her safe.”
“Humph!” grunted the doctor and the lieutenant.