Abe said, "Oh, I always make sure I say what the men want said, sir." That brought another laugh.
Raoul's anger at the Potawatomi found a new target in this bony volunteer. The heat of the whiskey raced through his bloodstream.
There was one simple way to show this upstart who was master here, and at the same time have his way with the redskins.
Raoul drew his pistol and hefted it in his hand.
The tall captain eyed Raoul warily and said nothing.
Raoul said, "I'm going to give this Potawatomi one more chance to tell me now where Black Hawk went, and if he disobeys me again I'm going to shoot him dead."
He stood before Little Foot and pointed the pistol at his head.
In Potawatomi he said, "Tell me what Black Hawk plans to do. Is he lying in ambush farther up the trail? Does he have a secret camp for his squaws and papooses? Tell me, or I will shoot you." Swinging the muzzle of the pistol to the man in the blue turban beside Little Foot, he said, "And then I will ask this man, and if he does not tell me, I will kill him too."
The bony young man said, "With all due respect to your rank and experience, sir, I must say that what you propose to do is wrong."
Raoul's rage threatened to boil over. Tension jerked his right arm. So as not to risk wasting a shot, he took his finger off the trigger.