“If you’ll untie my foot a minit, I’ll bet I kick some of the ribs out of your body. Why don’t you knock our brains out, and be done at once, you black wolves you!” said Sneak.
“Oh, Sneak! for my sake—your poor friend’s sake, don’t put such an idea as that into their heads!” said Joe, imploringly.
“You’re a purty friend, ain’t you? You’d give so much to ransom me! They aint a going to quit us without killin’ us, and I want it all over jest as soon as it kin be done.”
“Oh, no, Sneak! Maybe they’ll take pity on us and spare our lives,” said Joe, assuming a most entreating look as the savage once more approached him.
“You make good big Osage; you come with us, if we let you live?” demanded the old Indian.
“I pledge you my most sacred word and honour I will!”
“You run away, you rascal,” said the savage, plucking another tuft of hair from Joe’s head.
“I’ll be hanged if I stand this any longer!” said Joe, striving to break the cord that confined him.
“Don’t notice the black cowards,” said Sneak.
“How can I help noticing them, when they’re pulling out my hair by the roots!” said Joe.