Part 24 (2/2)
”Me talk,” said the messenger.
”Well! what ye got to say?” asked Ethan.
”You got Wahena--little Wahena.”
”Yes, sir!” replied Ethan, with emphasis. ”I've got him, and I mean to keep him.”
”No keep! We want Wahena,” continued the messenger.
”No git him,” added Ethan, who was inclined to be facetious at times, especially when the advantage was on his side.
”Lean Bear's son. Big Lean Bear--little Wahena.”
”You can't hev him, nohow,” said Ethan, decidedly.
”Me get Wahena--you go 'way--no kill, no hurt.”
”You can't fool me.”
”No kill, no hurt.”
”No, yer don't!”
”Give Wahena--no kill, no hurt,” repeated the messenger, impressively.
”You git out!”
”No give Wahena, Lean Bear kill!”
”Two kin play at that game,” added Ethan, shaking his head. ”Ef you don't quit, I'll kill the boy.”
”No kill Wahena!” cried the savage, evidently horrified at the threat.
”Yes, I will, old boy, ef you don't all go off, and quit right away. I know what's what, 'n you can't fool me, nohow.”
”Why not give up the boy, if they will let us go?” asked f.a.n.n.y.
”You can't trust one o' them Injin creeturs no more'n you kin trust a rattlesnake, nohow. Jest fetch the boy here, and I'll show 'em what I mean.”
f.a.n.n.y had fastened Wahena's hands more securely behind him, and attached one end of the line to his neck. She had removed the cord from his ankles, so that he could walk, while by the rope at his neck he could be kept under perfect control. Ethan took the line, and led the boy out at the door, where he was placed in full view of the savages.
His captor still held the leaded pistol in his hand.
”No kill Wahena!” shouted the messenger, fiercely.
”I won't hurt him ef you all go off--go 'way--clear out--quit the ranch.”
”No hurt?” asked the Indian.
<script>