When they had finished the woman said in English with a very careless air: “I’m going to see if I can get some fresh meat.”
“She means me,” thought Stonor.
She got her gun and departed. Stonor was aware likewise of the knife sticking out of the top of her moccasin. Both Imbrie and the woman had a self-conscious air. A child could have seen that something was afoot. The woman walked off through the grass and was presently lost among the trees.
Imbrie commanded Stonor to wash the dishes.
Stonor reflected that since they meant to kill him anyhow if they could, there was nothing to be gained by putting up with further indignities.
“Wash them yourself,” he said coolly.
Imbrie shrugged, but said no more.
Pretty soon they heard a shot at no great distance.
Stonor thought: “Now she’ll come back and say she’s got a bear or a moose, and they’ll order me to go back with her and bring in the meat. Shall I go, or shall I refuse to go? If I refuse they’re almost sure to suspect that I understand their lingo; but if I go I may be able to disarm her. I’ll go.”
Presently they saw her returning. “I’ve got a moose,” she said stolidly.