Uncle Fred started back toward the ranch buildings with Mr. Bunker and Vi, while Laddie and Russ sat down near the spring to wait. There was just a faint trickle of water coming through the rocks.
Suddenly the boys were surprised to hear a sort of grunt behind them, and, turning quickly, they saw a figure such as they had often seen in pictures.
"An Indian!" gasped Russ. "Oh, Laddie! It's an Indian!"
CHAPTER XIX
WHAT ROSE FOUND
There was no doubt about it. Standing in front of Laddie and Russ was an Indian. He was a tall man, with dark skin.
The Indian had a blanket wrapped around him, and on his feet were what seemed to be slippers, made of soft skin. Later the boys learned that these were moccasins.
In his hair the Indian had stuck two or three brightly-colored feathers. He was not a nice-looking man, but he smiled, in what he most likely meant to be a kind way, at the boys, and, pointing to the spring, said:
"Water? Indian get drink water?"