"Now that you call my attention to it, I do. It sounds like 'canwanka.'"
"'Canwanka' it is. That's the new name they're calling us and it's not complimentary. 'Canwanka' means coward. First we were women, then worms and now cowards, because we won't give up the aid of our fortifications and allow ourselves to be overpowered by the Sioux numbers. Do you hear anything among the cottonwoods on the creek, Giant?"
"Nothing yet, Jim. They keep up such an infernal yelling out thar in front that it will drown out any light sound."
"Doubtless that's what it's for."
"I think so, too. You don't hev to see them imps among the cottonwoods to know what they're up to. They hev dismounted on both wings, an' they're creepin' forward from the north an' from the south close to the banks o' the creek, hopin' to ketch us nappin'."
The Little Giant was facing the south and suddenly his figure became taut.
"See something?" whispered Boyd.
"I think so, but I ain't quite sure yet. Yes, it's the head o' a warrior, stickin' up 'bout a foot from the ground, an' he'll be the fust to go."
Will was startled by the sharp crack of a rifle almost at his elbow, and he heard the Little Giant's sigh of satisfaction.
"Straight an' true," muttered the terrible marksman.