The two men who had gone to the cavvy returned. They were leading a horse with a rope around its neck. Houck recognized the animal with a thrill of superstitious terror. It was the one about the possession of which he had shot Black Arrow.
The old chief spoke again. “Man-with-loud-tongue claim this horse. Utes give it him. Horse his. Man-with-loud-tongue satisfied then maybe.”
“What are you aimin’ to do, you red devils?” Houck shouted.
Already he guessed vaguely at the truth. Men were arranging a kind of harness of rope and rawhide on the animal.
Others stooped to drag the captive forward. He set his teeth to keep back the shriek of terror that rose to his throat.
He knew now what form the vengeance of the savages was to take.