"What are you going to do now?"
"We're going to take that gold you unlawfully removed from the cave. Ah, you needn't deny you have it. I have proof of it. One of my men saw it."
"I suppose you mean that spy," replied Mr. Baxter. "We are not going to deny it. But let me tell you we'll never give up anything we have without a fight."
"A fight? Why, we outnumber you five to one!"
"I'm not afraid of that. We shall defend our property to the last."
"Bold words!" spoke Callack with a sneer, "but I'm going to have that gold," and he advanced toward Mr. Baxter.
The Indians, watching their white leader, began to close in on the treasure finders.
"Fred!" cried Mr. Baxter, "you look after the left side, Jerry, you the right, and I'll take the center. Stand with your backs to the tent. Johnson, get up on the ice hummock and fire at the first man who comes within a hundred feet, be he a white or an Indian."
In less time than it takes to tell it the little force had assumed a position of defense. From his elevated place the negro could command a wide range.
"Are you going to fight us?" demanded Callack.