He slept with an ear open, for voices and tread of feet aroused him. People were coming. He craned his neck to peer about—and ducked further inside, like a turtle inside its shell.
Two persons had arrived in the clearing. They were walking straight toward him. They were white men. They were some of those United States warriors!
A moment more, and a heavy foot kicked the hide—thump!—and hands ruthlessly overthrew it. Exposed, Little White Osage sprang erect, gained his feet at a bound, stood bravely facing the two warriors of the “’Nited States.” He would not show them that he feared.
“B’gorry,” exclaimed a voice, “here’s a quare pea in a pod!”
II
PETER GOES ABOARD
Little White Osage did not understand the words, but they were said with a laugh. He could only stare.
Two, were these United States men. The one who had spoken was short and broad and quick, like a bear. He had a lean freckled face and shrewd twinkling grey eyes. He wore a blue shirt, and belted trousers, and boots, and on his head a wide-brimmed black hat. Leaning upon a long-barrelled flint-lock gun, he laughed.