The money was at once raised and put into the captain’s hands, and the negro, having inspected it to make sure that it was all right, prepared for immediate departure.
He received some instructions as to how he was to act, what he was to say if he could make the red men understand his language, and what gestures he was to make if they did not.
No weapon was allowed him, lest he should make indiscreet use of it and precipitate ruin upon the whole party.
In fact, there were no weapons in the company except one clumsy five-barreled revolver and three small pistols. In the wreck it had been all they could do to escape with their lives.
“Be sure to tell them that we are well armed,” said the captain, smiling, “but that we are good men, and do not want to harm them. Tell them we want nothing but food and we will pay for that, and then we’ll go right away.”
They gave him some money in silver, and told him to give that to the Indians and to promise them as much more as soon as the provisions were sent.
“Be discreet, Joe, now, for everything depends on that,” said Cody. “Remember the ladies must not be endangered.”
“I will, sah; I’ll be bery ’screet.”
“And whatever happens don’t get angry. When you get near them stop and lay your hand on your heart—so—and point to the sky.”
Joe, in attempting to imitate the gesture of his instructor, put his hand on a region a great deal lower than his heart and one that might be considered the more immediate seat of suffering from his prolonged fasting.