He stood tense on the rock shelf, convinced that someone was watching.
“What’s wrong, Dan?” Brad asked, instantly alert. “See anyone?”
“Indians maybe?” teased Red.
The snicker died on his lips and his blood fairly congealed as two men silently stepped from behind the foliage. Both wore corduroy pants, rough looking shirts, boots and sombrero-type hats.
However, the gaunt faces with skin pulled tightly over cheek bones, plainly distinguished them as Indians.
“Jeepers creepers!” Chips muttered and sucked in his breath.
The Cubs instinctively clustered together. Although the sudden appearance of the two strangers did not frighten them, they were made vaguely uneasy.
The taller of the two Indians wore a bracelet decorated with silver and turquoise. An ornamental belt girded his lean waist.
“Good afternoon,” said Brad. He spoke evenly enough though inwardly he was quaking a bit. “Anything we can do for you?”
The Indian replied with a guttural rumble in his throat.