It was Colonel Forsythe who made the demand, and the warriors started, gazed at each other and huddled more closely together, their faces becoming black with fury and hatred.
Then a chief spoke for all, and said:
"We have no weapons. The Great Father has broken faith with us, for we are poor, sick, and hungry, with no arms to kill game for our squaws and children."
"It is not so, chief, for you are all thoroughly armed, and you have surrendered to us, and you must give up your weapons at once," was the stern response of Colonel Forsythe.
"We have no arms to give up. Let the pale-face warriors take us as we are."
"No! you are thoroughly armed, as I well know. If you refuse to surrender your weapons then search shall be made for them. I shall say no more, chief."
And then out of the medicine lodge came a crouching form.
It was a medicine chief, covered with robes, with body bent and lance in hand.
As he came he chanted a wild war-song of his people.
Instantly Kit Carey's eyes fell upon him, heard his words, and he walked rapidly toward him.