Part 16 (1/2)
”No find.”
”You mean you could not find one?”
”He doesn't know what he means,” sneered Ned. ”He's had too much pipe of peace.”
”Go take care of that pony,” commanded the Professor sternly. ”Rub him down well. After you have done so, return and get your breakfast.
There's not much for you.”
”He'll have to wash his own dishes,” announced Ned. ”No was.h.i.+ng dishes for a lazy Indian. No, not for me.”
”Yes, he will have to do that,” agreed the Professor. ”Come back here, Eagle-eye.”
The boys did not know at the moment what the Professor had in mind.
”Two of our ponies got away last night, Eagle-eye.”
The Indian nodded, but without exhibiting any surprise.
”Did you know it?”
”Me know.”
”How?” demanded the Professor, with unfeigned surprise.
”Me see um tracks. Me see um ropes there.”
”Well, you have got some sense after all,”' retorted the Professor.
”How do you suppose they got away?”
”No get away.”
”What's that? What do you mean?” asked Ned sharply.
”No get away.”
”I guess the pipe of peace has gone to his head,” declared Ned disgustedly. ”Now you say they didn't get away. If not, they must be over there now. How do you explain that?”
”No there.”
”Of course they're not. Then they got away.”
”No get away. Steal um,” announced the Indian calmly.
His announcement was like an electric shock to them.
”Stolen? Stolen? Is that what you mean?” shouted Professor Zepplin.
”Yes.”