"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 airship, for
they've never seen one. but they know we're white folks, an' they
always want things white folks have got.
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