“He trampled on me too. I thought it was the Indians,” I said.
“Then it’s a false alarm, and I’m afraid I’ve hurt the poor lad a good deal.”
But just then Esau sat up, and began rubbing the side of his head.
“Where’s my stick?” he said. “Oh, you’ve got it. Have you driven ’em away?”
“Driven whom away?” I said.
“Injuns. I thought they would. They came at us, and I’d got that stick ready.”
“Injun allee seepee,” said the Chinaman, waving the pine branch to make it blaze.
“No; they came and attacked us, and I fought ’em till one of ’em knocked me down and held me on the ground.”
“Did you see them come?” said Gunson.
“Couldn’t see ’em because it was so dark; but I sprang up at them, and did the best I could.”