"Lawsy-massy!" yelled Washington White. "Disher don't seem like de us'al 'Welcome to our City' warcry. Dem fellers don't want us nohow!"
"Now we see just how popular we are with the natives of Alaska," said
Jack. "What do you think of it, Mark?"
"I think we're in bad," returned his chum, gripping his rifle nervously.
"Quite remarkable! quite remarkable!" repeated Professor Henderson.
"Back to that bunch o' rocks!" shouted Andy Sudds, who had taken in the strategic advantages of a position they had just passed, at a glance.
All saw the wisdom of the old hunter's suggestion. They hurried to the group of boulders. They made a natural breastwork behind which a few determined men could hold at bay a horde of enemies—for a time, at least.
"The Indians are coming right on," cried Mark, excitedly.
"And I see some of my old workmen among them," declared Phineas Roebach. "That is what is the trouble. Those fellows have got it into their heads that we are somehow the cause of these misfortunes that have overtaken this part of the hemisphere."
"You go out and parley with them, Mr. Roebach," suggested the professor.
"You can't parley with them while their 'mad' is up," said the oil man. "They're charging. Give them a volley—and don't be afraid to shoot low. They will listen better to reason after they taste some of our lead."