The next moment Oagla stepped before her with a cry of hatred, and she went to the earth beneath his clenched hand.
He paid dearly in the future for that blow.
CHAPTER VI.
DEMANDING THE DEAD.
“Well, they’ve got Doc Cromer cornered at last. He fooled ’em completely when they pounced down upon his shanty like buzzards, an’ he’s goin’ to try an’ fool ’em ag’in. Boy, them red devils war watchin’ the cave, an’ when they saw me, they couldn’t hold ’emselves longer, so erbout twenty let drive ter once, an’ I felt a sting in my leg. Jehu! how I sent the boat through the water then, and of course they follered. I didn’t ’spect to find both you chaps to home, fur I thought the half-breed was still off on the powder errand.”
“He returned a few hours prior to our fight. I saved his life in the woods, and broke an oath by such action.”
“How, boy?”
“I had sworn to Ahdeek that I would never appear to the Indians while they saw him. You see, Doc, I never had any great grudge against the reds, but Ahdeek is avenging the death of somebody—he won’t tell me who. True, the greasers have bothered my traps, and that set me against them, and the boy made me swear that I would assist him to avenge the death of that mysterious personage, also, as I have further said. The Indians know that I, and not Ahdeek, am the real White Tiger. I told them so when I saved the boy’s life. Doc, among the murdered traders I possessed many staunch friends, and if I ever escape from this difficulty, those brave fellows shall be remembered when I strike.”
Doc Cromer spoke quickly.
“And are we to die here?” he asked.
“I trust not.”