“Ugh!” he grunted.
The object he exhibited was a tiny red bead, of a glowing scarlet, so that it resembled a small scarlet berry or seed.
“Sabe?” he said, his black eyes searching the face of the scout, to whom he exhibited his find. “Injun moccasin, Pa-e-has-ka; Injun kick um pony make um go fast, and little bead fall off. Wuh!”
Buffalo Bill inspected it critically; and saw that it was a moccasin bead, for a bead of a different kind is often used for moccasins than those used for clothing, or for the hair.
“Right, Chappo,” he said. “What tribe—can you tell?”
“No can tell tribe,” said Chappo.
“That’s right, too, and I shouldn’t have asked it; for white men manufacture the beads, and all Indians are able to get them, by purchase or barter. But do you see anything else, Chappo?”
There was nothing more at that point; though a mile or so farther on Little Cayuse, trying not to be outdone by his Apaches, made a discovery that seemed really astounding; but which probably he would not have made first if in his desire to excel he had not at the moment been some yards in advance.
The discovery seemed to indicate that they were following the trail of a woman!
Little Cayuse announced this with a grunt of surprise.