"You drove away the governor's horses," said Jack. "And drove them back after he had gone. They are company horses. It was a foolish thing to do."
"It is Ascota who speaks me ill," cried Etzeeah with a great display of anger. "He comes here, and he makes trouble. He calls us thieves and bad men. What do I know of white men, and white men's horses?"
"This is what Jean Paul told him to say," Mary murmured in English. "They were going to make believe to quarrel before us."
"Since when has the chief of the Sapis learned to lie?" demanded Jack coldly.
"I, no liar!" cried Etzeeah, taken aback.
"You told a different tale when Ascota came to your lodge last night."
Etzeeah was silenced. His jaw dropped, and his black eyes looked old and furtive.
"I have come for the sick white man, Garrod," said Jack. "Where is he?"
"I have seen no sick white man," muttered Etzeeah. "Ascota ask me already."
"Your women hear you lie," said Jack scornfully. "They are laughing behind you. I have had enough lies. Call everybody out of the tepees!"