"Ni-ha-be," said Rita, "he will think we are rude."
"Ni-ha-be, Rita," said Red Wolf at that moment, "tell Dolores she must cook for Knotted Cord. The chief says so. Bring blanket. Bring water. Be quick."
"Rita," said Ni-ha-be, while they were dipping their water gourds in the river, "he is as handsome as an Apache."
The two girls were certainly beginning to take a very great interest in their white friends and visitors, but they both stood gravely and silently enough before Red Wolf and Knotted Cord when they brought them the water.
"Young squaws thank you for help," said Red Wolf. "Both very glad. Very young. Very foolish. Daughters of great chief himself."
Steve almost forgot Murray's caution, for he frankly held out his hand, saying,
"I'm glad Murray and I were on hand to help. They're too nice to be killed. Glad to see them both well."
Mother Dolores was looking on, and was deeply scandalized by the terrible boldness of Ni-ha-be, for that young lady actually took the hand Steve held out, and shook it, for all the world as if she had been a brave.
Such a thing was unheard of, and what made it worse was the fact that Rita instantly followed her example.