Elias sat for some moments silent, during which time Cris busied himself over his gun.
After a time he put the question—
“Is that all you ha’ to say, governor?”
The governor, as Carrol styled him, started at this abrupt interrogatory.
“No, Carrol, that is not all. What I have to say is this. You are a friend to the red-skins?”
“Yes, siree, so long as they behaves themselves, I am,” promptly replied Cris.
“I also am their friend,” said Rody, “and want to deal fairly by them. They have, however, a foolish sort of pride that makes it difficult, especially in some matters. You know what I mean, do you not?”
“Yes, I see,” rejoined the hunter, in a careless drawl.
“Well, in a bit of business I have with Oluski, I thought a friend might manage with him better than I could myself.”
The governor paused to give Carrol an opportunity of replying.