“White man,” he said, “the chief bids me tell you your fate.”
It need hardly be said that he had attentive listeners.
“You and you,” pointing out Brush, “may go, but your horses and guns remain with us.”
“I am very much obliged to you, colonel,” said Peter Brush, greatly relieved. “You’re welcome to the horse and rifle, and my friend, the doctor, will no doubt say the same. How soon can we go?”
“At once. You shall be unbound, and free to keep on your way to the great waters.”
“And the boy may go, too?” said the doctor, who was more cool and self-possessed than Mr. Brush, and had at once noted the omission to include Tom in the proposed release.
“Of course! Didn’t he say Tom, too?” said Peter Brush, hastily.
“The boy must stay!” said the Indian interpreter, gravely.
“But why must he stay? He is under my care. I can’t go without him?” said Brush, eagerly.
“White boy must stay!” repeated the Indian.