[CHAPTER XXVIII.]
MUSTANG MAX.
The villain, Van Dorn, was surprised at the hostile attitude of the Indians who had said to him the previous day:
“You may command us.”
Now their weapons were raised in defense of the boy, and Ralph Radcliffe could not be reached except by passing through the glittering array of steel.
Van Dorn found out that gratitude in the Indian character was very strong, but he also learned that superstition in the same animal was greater than every other feeling.
He felt that his hold on the reds was growing shaky, and he did not care about losing his new-found command.
He thrust his weapon back into his belt, and spoke:
“I was wrong,” he said, “I did not know that the hand of the Great Spirit had been laid upon him. I would not now harm a hair of his head. You have done well, my braves.”