The trader looked grave and undecided. "I never
resort to that except as a last hope," he answered; "but
I've a good deal of confidence in your prudence. What
would you advise?"
Dick and the trader whispered a few minutes together,
while some of the men, in order to show the Indians how
perfectly unconcerned they were, and how ready for
anything
, took out their pipes and began to smoke.
Both parties were seated on the ground, and during this