“Roark, yonder comes the girl and her father and the led horses. I wish you to collect these Indian ponies, and with a guard of ten men, move down the river to the next motte and wait there until you hear from me.”
“That will leave you only forty men, chief, with which to tackle the camp and the Injins, too,” Roark responded.
“True, but I intend Red Dick and his crew shall play Kilkenny cats with the settlers. When they have about used each other up, I will be on hand to reap the spoils. Now, be off at once; and mind you, Roark, treat that girl with every respect.”
“I hear you, chief.”
“And see that you heed; now I will move to the river bank, and aid the settlers in driving off Red Dick and his devils.”
“You wouldn’t fire upon the redskins, chief?”
“Certainly; each one I slay is one out of my way to eventual success.”
So saying, Ricardo called to his band to follow him, mounted his horse, and rode slowly in the direction of the camp.
Approaching within a hundred yards, under cover of a few straggling trees, he sent Long Dave and his Indian scout on abreast, to creep up the river bank, and give warning when Red Dick and his followers should attempt a landing.