"Nika cooley hyas tsik-tsik," he said.
"He says he went to the big wagon," Tesno said. "To the boiler."
"I savvy Chinook," Parris said.
"Mika ko," Charlie said to Tesno. "You here all a time." He seemed to consider this a joke.
"You found those dead men," Tesno said.
Charlie grunted. "Kely tum-tum. I cry in my heart. Silverknife my cousin."
"Willie was your cousin?"
Charlie grunted affirmatively. He explained that he had seen Willie leave town with the prisoners and that he had followed. Willie had seen him in the distance, hadn't recognized him, and had tried to lose him by leaving the road. Charlie had seen the tracks leading into the woods, however, and had followed. Willie had rejoined the road and Charlie had just reached it when he heard the shots. Not having a gun, he had hidden in the trees and waited.
"Son of a gun chase horses up and down. Go into trees."
"Who, Charlie?" Tesno demanded.