Wyatt hesitated and he and Blackstaffe spoke together a few moments in a low voice. Then he replied:
"One of our largest and strongest warriors was strangled nearly to death last night. Nobody could have done it but Ware."
Paul laughed loud.
"And so that's your evidence!" he cried. "Well, you're mistaken. I did that myself. I was needing a little exercise and so I went out, found this warrior in the grass and manhandled him. Then I came back feeling a lot better."
Wyatt's face blazed.
"You lie, Paul Cotter," he exclaimed. "You couldn't do such a thing!"
"Oh, yes, I could," said Paul merrily, "but you're losing your temper again, Braxton. You should never call anybody a liar when you're within range of his gun. No, we're not going to shoot. We always respect a flag of truce, though we doubt whether you would. Now, I want to ask you what have we ever done to make you think we'd betray a comrade like Henry? Are you judging us by yourself? You might have a thousand warriors out there and our answer would be the same. Try to take us and see what will happen. We give you just two minutes to get out of range."
Wyatt, Blackstaffe and the two Indians retired hurriedly. Long Jim uttered an indignant exclamation.
"What's the matter with you, Jim?" asked Henry.
"I've been insulted."