“I sent Hano to bring my friends here,” he replied. “They have a tracking dog—a hound—and could trace me here in any event, so I wanted to avoid a fight. The dog would lead them to Red Mesa, chief.”
“And so you sent Hano!” laughed Honanta. “My son Hano would kill that dog, kill those friends of yours, too, sooner than permit them to reach our home! Did you not think of that?”
Sid attempted to show his surprise at this Indian point of view on his action, but the idea was not new to him and the chief saw it.
“Come! There is more back of it, yet, my son!” prompted Honanta. “The truth—and I will do what I can for you with the elders.”
“There’s a party of Mexicans coming along the border,” replied Sid desperately. “They will find our tracks and trace us all to this place. I felt that we needed my friends to help you defend it, Honanta. That’s the whole truth.”
“Ha!—No! There is more!” exclaimed Honanta, his choler rising. “Why are the Mexicanos coming? And why is your party down here? Do you think I do not know why? Somehow, the tale of our mine has gotten out! Don’t I know what white men will do to possess themselves of a mine? What won’t they do!” he exclaimed bitterly. “You are all our enemies!”
“Not I!” retorted Sid, stoutly. “I am an ethnologist—no miner! The study of your people is my lifework, chief. Sympathy for them has become my ruling passion. Since I came here, my one idea has been to preserve this place forever as your home. I’ll seal my friend’s lips forever about this mine——”
Sid stopped hastily, for he had made a slip that he had not intended. It did not escape Honanta, however.
“No! we shall do that!” he said grimly. “My son, you are an enemy to us. You cannot help yourself. But, because of him who saved my mother and you who represent him, I have vowed to give a Sun Dance to-morrow. You must be present at it, for you are the physical evidence of my deliverer. According to our laws of hospitality you have one sun of immunity among us. But to-morrow, when his shadow reaches there,” the Chief pointed to a great crack on the inside of the west wall—“you must go forth—if you can.... As for your friends, we shall take care of them if Hano does not!”
He turned and motioned to two of his braves. “Bind him!” he commanded. “Medicine lodge!”