Part 5 (1/2)

At this the Indian stared at the boy stolidly for fully half a minute.

He understood that he was not wanted, and that he would not be allowed into the cabin.

”White boy have no medicine for Wolf Ear?” he said, slowly.

”I don't know what would be good for you.”

”Where white boy's fadder?”

”He has gone away.” A sudden idea came to Dan's mind. ”I think he has gone to Gonzales to bring along some of the lumbermen to look over the plans for a sawmill. There are about a dozen men thinking of setting up a sawmill around here.”

The Indian pursed up his mouth, trying to conceal his chagrin. ”He come back soon?”

”I expect him every minute. But you had better not wait for him.

Perhaps you'll feel better if you wash off that war-paint on your face.”

At this Wolf Ear scowled viciously. ”White boy big fool!” he cried, and reached around for his gun. But before he could raise the weapon both Dan and Ralph had him covered with the pistols. Not having seen the weapons while speaking, the Indian was taken aback.

”Put that gun down,” said Dan, sternly. ”I am not such a fool as you think.”

”Wolf Ear only make fun,” grinned the savage, feebly. ”No mean to shoot.”

”I don't like your fun, and I want you to leave this place.”

At once the red man straightened up like an arrow on his pony. ”Wolf Ear will go,” he said, loftily. ”But Wolf Ear shall not forget you!”

And he turned his steed to ride away. Evidently he had forgotten all about his alleged pain.

”Dan, make him give up his gun,” cried Ralph, in a low voice. ”If you don't he'll try to shoot us as soon as he reaches cover.”

”Halt!” exclaimed the older brother. ”Wolf Ear, you must leave your gun with us. You can come back for it when my father is here.”

At first the Indian pretended not to hear, then he turned back to look at them, but without stopping his pony.

”My firearm is mine,” he said. ”The white boy shall not rob the poor Indian,” and digging his heels into his pony's sides he set off at a breakneck pace for the nearest patch of timber. Ralph was about to fire on him, but Dan stopped the proceedings.

”No, let him go,” he said. ”Whatever happens, don't give them the chance to say that we opened the fight. If we start the affair we'll get into all sorts of trouble with the agency.”

Before they could argue the matter Wolf Ear had gained the timber. Both of the boys were now in the doorway of the cabin. Bang! went the redskin's gun, and the bullet embedded itself in the door-post close to their heads. Like lightning the boys leaped into the living-room and barred the oaken barrier behind them.

”He has opened the attack!” gasped Ralph, the shot, coming so close, temporarily unnerving him. ”I told you he'd do it.”

Dan did not answer, but, running to the closet, brought out the best of the guns belonging to his father. Leaping up to the loft, he opened the firing-hole fronting the direction Wolf Ear had taken, and squinted through. But the Indian horseman was long since out of sight.

”Can you catch him?” asked Ralph, from the foot of the ladder.

”No, he's gone.”

”Do you think he'll bring the others down on us now?”