"Is that what you came for?" demanded Roger.
The Indian shook his head.
"Chobee eestee hotkee (big white man) send me."
"For whiskey?"
"No. Chobee eestee hotkee come soon himself. He say I go here. I come. Him shoot. Esoka—bonus—chee why-o-me."
"No. No whiskey," said Roger. "Who is this big white man, Willy?"
"Him come ojus soon. Etalitke. (Talk much) Friend you. Gimme tobacco."
Later, while Higgins and Roger were sewing up the wound in Willy's shoulder, Blease suddenly uttered a warning whistle.
"Some one coming—walking heavy—through the saw grass."
"No shoot first, look by'm by!" protested Willy. As the intruder broke out of the saw grass into plain sight he said: "Him chobee eestee hotkee."