RUSS AND LADDIE WATCHED THE INDIAN WITH WIDE-OPEN EYES.
Russ and Laddie watched the Indian with wide-open eyes. This was the first one they had ever seen outside of a circus or a Wild-West show, and he was not like the Indians there. They all wore gaily-colored suits, and had many more feathers on their heads than this man did. But that he was a real Indian, Russ and Laddie never doubted.
Having finished his meal, and taken another drink of water, the Indian looked at the boys again and said:
"You live here?" and he waved his hand in a circle.
"Not—not zactly," stammered Laddie.
"We're staying with our Uncle Fred at Three Star Ranch," said Russ.
"Oh, Three Star Ranch. Huh! Me know! Good place. Bill Johnson him cook!"
"That's right!" exclaimed Laddie. "He knows Uncle Fred's cook. He must be a good Indian, Russ."
"I guess he is. Maybe he wants to see Uncle Fred."
"Here they come back," remarked Laddie, and he pointed to his father and Uncle Fred, who could now be seen coming toward the spring, carrying picks and shovels over their shoulders.