Just before sunrise he received a severe shock, when looking across the pathless prairies toward the north he saw an Indian riding toward him.
For many moments he watched the advancing figure. When it came within musket range he raised his gun to his shoulder and shouted:
"Stop, or I'll fire!"
The Indian did not check his pony, but held up a bit of white rag. As he came nearer, riding his pony as erect and motionless as a bronze statue, the pioneer saw with a start that it was the Indian who had spoken to him the night before.
"How!" he said, bringing his pony to a halt before the white man and sliding down from its back.
"How!" answered Joshua Peniman, answering the western salutation.
The Indian came closer.
"You Quaker, eh?"
Wondering, the white man answered as he had answered the night before, "Yes, I am."
"Me Quaker too."