A cry of rage burst from the miners as they listened with amazement to this revelation.
"Is it true?" they shouted, as they surged near. "Tell us, is it true?"
"It's not true! By heavens, it's a lie!" and Pritchen, with face pale as death, struggled to his feet and faced the angry men.
"Stand back, b'ys, stand back!" cried Pete. "Lave 'im to me! He's injured 'im that's as dear to me as the apple of me eye. Lave 'im to me!"
Just what would have happened is hard to tell, if at that moment three Indians had not entered the room. One was Amos, the catechist, who was accompanied by three stalwart hunters.
In the exciting affray between Pete and Pritchen the Indians for a time had been forgotten. But the presence of these natives recalled their uncertain position, and with one accord they turned their attention to the visitors.
For a few minutes silence reigned in the room, and then Amos stepping forward delivered his message in broken English.
"Pale-face brothers," he began. "The Tukudhs come back from hunt. Dey find store burn, teacher gone. Beeg chief call Council. He want pale face come. Amos has spoke."
With this the catechist stepped back by the side of his companions, who had remained perfectly erect during it all.
Among the miners there was a hurried whispered conversation, and at length Caribou Sol arose to speak.