"We brought along some sandwiches," Alice reminded her.
"Yes, my dear, I know. But hardly enough, and as for sleeping with those—those Indians about—— Oh, I couldn't shut my eyes all night. Please, Baldy, tell them we must be let go."
"I'll do my best," he responded. "But old Jumping Horse—that's the chief—said we could have some huts off by ourselves, and they'll feed us—such fodder as they've got."
"It is an unfortunate situation," said Mr. DeVere, "but it cannot be helped. We must make the best of it, and, after all, I suppose there is really no great danger."
"None at all, I guess, if we do as they say," agreed Baldy. "But I don't fancy being kept here a week."
"Do their ceremonies last as long as that?" asked Russ.
"Often longer. Well, I'll go see what I can do, and then I'll come back and report. Here, you keep one of those," and he handed a big revolver to Paul.
"Don't you dare hold that close to me!" cried Ruth, apprehensively.
The result of Baldy's talk with Jumping Horse was not encouraging, as the cowboy reported later.
"You can't argue with an Indian," he said, gloomily. "He can only see his side of the game."