Sergeant Brewster addressed one of the braves: “Tell Chief Black Dog a man from the Great White Father has come to see him.”
The buck hurried away, and soon returned, saying the chief would be glad to see him, in fact had invited them all to his council tepee.
Leaving Toma to look after the dogs, Dick and Sandy followed Malemute Slade and the policemen to a tepee much larger than the rest. The entrance was so high that even Malemute Slade entered erect.
“Gosh, it’s dark,” whispered Sandy, when the tepee flap closed behind them.
The only light in the tepee was a tiny fire glowing in the center. Before this Dick and Sandy could make out three shadowy figures. The one in the center was an aged Indian with snow white hair. He was Chief Black Dog.
“The white brother comes from the Great White Father. It is good. Peace with white brother,” the old chief spoke.
“We bring presents from the great chief to the big chief,” Sergeant Brewster announced, drawing from his mackinaw pockets a fine pocket knife and a shining tobacco box.
Dick and Sandy could see the old chief’s eyes glitter as they fell upon the gifts.
“It is good,” said Chief Black Dog, accepting the presents.
The sergeant also gave something to each of the two chiefs seated on either side of Chief Black Dog, for which they muttered thanks.