Carl stopped short. In front of him stood a tall, stately, blanketed Indian. His whole face was hideously painted in various colors, and his countenance was set and expressionless.
"Whilligers, where'd he come from!" whispered Fred, as the boys stood perplexed and amazed at this apparition. Nobody had heard him approach, or seen him, until they discovered him standing like a carved statue, coolly regarding Carl.
"Hello, what do you want?" chirruped Carl, cheerfully, not at all abashed.
The older Indian drew himself straighter, if possible, and replied in his own tongue, which Carl afterwards said was original Apache.
"Where did you learn that call?" demanded the tall stranger, almost fiercely.
"It belonged to my tepee," responded the boy.
"You Apache?"
"Yes."
"Umph," grunted the Indian, and stood silently, with his penetrating eyes fixed on Carl.