The return of the warriors was eagerly watched for, but Many Bears did not seem disposed to hurry back to his camp after his meeting with Steve and Murray.
Perhaps he was the more willing to ride slowly because it gave him an opportunity to ask a great many questions, and to consider the answers given.
He did not seem very curious as to the past history of his new friends. Indian politeness compelled him to let them keep their own affairs to themselves. Besides, the account they gave sounded well.
"Send Warning and Knotted Cord find mine? Ugh! Good. Apache not want him. Friend keep him. Then other pale-faces come for mine? Ugh! Bad. Drive off friend. Too many rifle. Too many big strong. You not like it. Ugh! Apaches drive 'em all away. Take every scalp. You see."
"We're in no hurry about the mine," said Murray. "Go back for it some day. Too many Lipans now."
"They go away too. Go beyond mountains. Never come over here before. Apaches teach 'em a lesson."
The mind of Many Bears was very much troubled. He wanted to travel westward as fast as possible, and yet here was a band of his tribe's worst and most ancient enemies within easy striking distance. Not to speak of Captain Skinner and his men, and the "plunder" there might be in their "outfit."
"What you say? Send Warning tell friend what do."
"Let 'em all alone," said Murray, promptly. "Maybe Lipans fight pale-faces. Maybe not. Both get scared and go away. No good to lose warrior for nothing."
"Get scalp. Get big name. Tribe say great chief."