CHAPTER XI
A FIGHT IN THE NIGHT
That hand gripping her shoulder made Roberta’s heart skip a beat, but after a moment when it didn’t yank her to her feet she gathered courage to look around. To her great relief she saw that it was Nomie.
“Fog coming,” the Indian said, scarcely above a whisper.
“I’ll come,” Roberta answered quickly and rose to her feet. Her companion put her fingers over her lips, which the girl understood to mean that they must keep very quiet, then the pair hurried stealthily across the plateau. When they were well below the hill, Nomie paused, her face very sober.
“Keep way from cracks,” she said briefly.
“I thought it was a baby animal of some kind. I was going to help it up if I could,” she explained and Nomie looked at her searchingly. “That is true,” Roberta added emphatically.
“Good,” Nomie appeared relieved and willing to believe the story, but she went on. “Noises you hear, things you know not, pay no heed to. I give you leave to walk; you will make me trouble—”
“I’ll be mighty careful,” Roberta put in hastily. “You have been very good to me and I appreciate it.”
“Speak not of the noise or the crack,” the woman urged.