About midway in their tramp they met a group of Indians, of which Tommy was one, returning from a search for customers for their baskets and bead work.
"Pike along slow, fellows," said Carl. "I'm going to see if Tommy knows anything about our friend of yesterday."
He engaged the old Indian in conversation, while the other boys parleyed with the squaws over their wares. After some good-natured teasing, Fred bought a particularly attractive woven basket for his mother, and Gray purchased a bead belt, which he intended to take to his sister when he went back to New York.
"Tommy doesn't seem to know very much about him," informed Carl when he joined his companions. "Says he showed up here about a week ago, and wanted to know if anyone could tell him where he could find the old Thunder Bird shrine."
"Did Tommy ever see him before?" asked Dunk.
"No. None of these Indians around here ever did. He says he has been down in the Mexico mining districts, but claims to be an Araviapa Apache. That's what my father was, and he looks to be of the same tribe."
"Looks somethin' like you," remarked Fly.
"I think so too," chimed in Fred.
"Well, Tommy says the old scout has an idea he has done something to offend the Great Spirit," continued Carl, "and, unless he makes some kind of reparation, he won't get into the happy hunting ground with his ancestors."
Carl smiled at this fallacy which he had long since abandoned.