Part 18 (2/2)

The adventurers were now all armed, even to Mr. Parker. The scientist had recovered from his first fright, when he spied the Indians coming over the snow, as he was ”observing” some natural phenomenon. Tom, even in his excitement, noticed that the professor was curiously examining his gun, evidently more with a view to seeing how it was made, and on which principle it was operated, rather than to discover how to use it.

”If it comes to a fight, just point it at the Indians, pull the trigger, and work that lever,” explained the young inventor. ”It's an automatic gun.”

”I see,” answered Mr. Parker. ”Very curious. I had no idea they worked this way.”

”Oh, if I only had my electric rifle in shape!” sighed Tom, as he dashed forward at the side of Ned.

”Your electric rifle?”

”Yes, I've got a new kind of weapon--very effective. I have it almost finished. It's in the airs.h.i.+p, but I can't use it just yet.

However, maybe these repeaters will do the work.”

By this time they were at the entrance of the cave, and, looking out they saw about a hundred Indians, dressed in furs, striding across the snowy plain that stretched out from the foot of the mountain in which was the cavern.

”They're certainly comin' on,” observed Abe, grimly. ”Git ready for 'em, boys!”

The gold-seekers lined up at the mouth of the cave, with guns in their hands. At the sight of this small, but formidable force, the Indians halted. They were armed with guns of ancient make, while some had spears, and others bows and arrows. A few had grabbed up stones as weapons.

There appeared to be a consultation going on among them, and, presently, one of the number, evidently a chief or a spokesman, gave his gun to one of his followers, and, holding his hands above his head, while he waved a rag that might have once been white, came forward.

”By Jove!” exclaimed Tom. ”It's a flag of truce! He wants to talk with us I believe!”

”Bless my cartridges!” exclaimed Mr. Damon. ”Can they speak English?”

”A little,” answered Abe Abercrombie. ”I can talk some of their lingo, too. Maybe I'd better see what they want.”

”I guess it would be a good plan,” suggested Tom, and, accordingly the old miner stepped forward. The Indian came on, until Abe motioned for him to halt.

”I reckon that's as far as it'll be healthy for you t' come,” spoke Abe, grimly. ”Now what do you fellers want?”

Thereupon there ensued a rapid exchange of jargon between the miner and the Indian. Abe seemed much relieved as the talk went on, until there came what seemed like a demand on the part of the dark-hued native.

”No, you don't! None of that!” muttered Abe. ”If you had your way you'd take everything we have.”

”What is it? What does he want?” asked Tom in a low voice.

”Why, the beggar began fair enough,” replied the miner. ”He said one of their number had been in the cave when a storm came an' saw a big spirit fly in, with men on its back. He ran away an' now others have come to see what it was. They don't guess it's an airs.h.i.+p, for they've never seen one, but they know we're white folks, an' they always want things white folks have got.”

”This fellow is a sort of chief, an' he says the white folks?--that's us, you know?--have taken th' Indians' cave. He says he doesn't want t' have any trouble, an' that we can stay here as long as we like, but that we must give him an' his followers a lot of food.

Says they hain't got much. Land! Those beggars would eat us out of everything we had if we'd let 'em!”

”What are you going to tell them?” inquired Mr. Damon.

”I'm goin' t' tell 'em t' go t' gra.s.s, or words t' that effect,”

replied Abe. ”They haven't any weapons that amount t' anything, an'

we can stand 'em off. Besides, we'll soon be goin' away from here; won't we, Tom?”

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