"More'n that, Cap. They didn't give up that thar game for nothin'."
"Lay low, boys! Git to cover right away! Red-skins!"
There was no difficulty in hiding among so many rocks and bowlders, and the miners were out of sight in a moment.
They could see, though, even if they were not seen, and they were soon able to count a dozen Indian warriors leading three pack-ponies as far up the ravine as four-footed beasts could be led.
"Wonder if they've wiped out the two fellers?" said Bill.
"Looks like it. Or they may have captured 'em. Lost their game, if they haven't lost their scalps. Wonder what tribe of redskins they are, anyhow?"
There was a better reason than that why No Tongue and Yellow Head did not come back with their friends, but it was just as well that Captain Skinner and his miners did not understand it.
"Captain," whispered one of the men near him, "shall we let drive at 'em? We could pick off half of 'em first fire."
"Not a shot. All we want just now is to be let alone. I don't mind killing a few redskins."
"Mebbe they killed the two fellers."