“Must be careful now,” he whispered. “Must get on other side of teppee so set fire. Wind from South. We go North. Louie no smell.”
Wondering how their aged guide could detect the direction of the wind when they were not even aware there was any stirring, at least, not sufficient to carry their odor to the shrewd old fiend, the cowboys followed his lead. But, though as before, Nig picked out only firm ground for them to ride on, he made frequent halts while he listened and sniffed, once or twice even dismounting and reconnoitring on foot.
After what seemed to them several hours, so slowly did they advance, Nig gave the word to halt.
“Isn’t there any more danger of his hearing us?” queried Ki Yi, surprised to hear the aged scout speak.
“No make difference now,” he replied.
“Why not?” exclaimed both cowboys, together.
“Because we on South side of teppee.”
“But I thought that was the side you wanted especially to avoid?” remarked Deadshot.
“While we getting here, uhuh. Now no difference. Palefaces at head of trail. If Louie smell us now, he no think any there and they shoot um.”
During this conversation, the aged scout had been preparing some grass which he braided with amazing rapidity into a long strand and then cut into three pieces, two of which he gave to his companions.