“Wal, sir,” said Wild Nat, “jist tew tell the truth in plain langwage, kalkulated for everybody’s understandin’, thar’s an Injun been doggin’ our steps. Gallernippers an’ centerpedes! I’d like to scratch his bald head!”
Kent smiled, despite his anxiety, at the trapper’s manner, and said:
“Dogging our steps, eh? How did you find it out?”
“Found out by virtew of my opptickles, in course! When I went out I see sign plenty—broken twigs an’ misplaced bushes thet I knew dogoned well we didn’t dew, an’ then I perceeded tew look about a little, an’ on lookin’ about I see the catapiller’s tracks. Yes, I did.”
“Do you think he saw us come in here?” asked Kent.
“Can’t say,” replied Nat. “Might or mightn’t ag’in. I’m sumwhat afeard he did. But, ef he did, an’ I git a chance at him, I’ll bet a holler cottonwood full of beaver-tails thet he’ll wish he’d died afore he saw me.”
“What will be the consequence if he has seen us?”
“Be down on us with a whole tribe, like bagpipes and wolf-preachin’; but I’m not goin’ tew leave this place jist yet, till I see. When I pre-empt a spot, I generally squat thar for sum time, as I shell on this present occasion, ef nothin’ turns up wuss’n a red nigger’s moccasin. Let’s have a little grub. I’m ’ginnin’ tew feel empty as an old sugar-cask.”
Seizing the piece of broiled meat, the trapper tore it in twain and tossed his companion half. This being discussed, ere long they relapsed into slumber.
The next morning the two men were out early, setting traps.