“Why should he trouble you? Smoholler seldom makes war—though he will always fight stoutly in self-defense.”
“He don’t like the idea of the railroad going through this territory. These are the surveyors, Multuomah, Mister Blaikie and Mister Robbins, and this is Lieutenant Gardiner, from Fort Walla Walla.”
The young chieftain shook hands cordially with all three, as they were introduced to him.
“How many braves has Smoholler with him?” he asked, continuing the conversation with Glyndon.
“Nigh on to fifty, as near as I can calculate from their trail; but me and the boys sent a few of ’em under.”
“How was that?”
Glyndon briefly described his scout and skirmish with Smoholler’s party.
“The Prophet’s men fight bravely, I have been told,” rejoined Multuomah.
“You have never had any brush with them?”
“No.”