“Hark to the liar and rogue!” said he. “Cap’n, there’s bad guile in this fox. It’s in my mind to put a knife in him here and now.”
Maclish, who had lost his swaggering confidence, held out his empty hands.
“If I meant ye harm,” he said, “would I ha’ come without a weapon to meet ye? If ye mean to murder me, go ahead, then. If not, we’ll part on it and no more said.”
“Right,” said Crawford, with sudden decision. “Go your way, and don’t cross my road again. I’m no murderer, so be off.”
With this, Maclish turned and started for the trees up the valley.
“Devil take me, but we did wrong to let him go!” said Frontin.
Crawford shook his head. The two friends went side by side toward their staring band of men, who had witnessed this amazing meeting without having been able to hear its import.
“No. The rascal changed his tune in a hurry, if you noticed—and why? Because he must have few men with him. He does not dare oppose us. Now, think! If that Spirit Lake is only a short march away, we’ll be there to-morrow. You heard what he said about reaching the Star Woman. With luck, we’ll not need the Assiniboine guides after all.”
“I don’t like it,” muttered Frontin. “I don’t like the very name of these Stone Men!”
Crawford laughed shortly, and they met Sir Phelim Burke and walked with him to the fire, telling of what had passed. Sir Phelim wrinkled up his nose and eyed the trees.