to keep from thinking about the stories I had heard of the Indians'
cruelty, as the party came forward, evidently at a sign from the man who
had faced me, and who wore more feathers than the rest.

"I say, Master George," whispered Morgan again, "hadn't I better ask 'em
what they want?"

"It's of no use. I don't think they would understand."

"Well," said Morgan, coughing to clear his throat, "I'm a soldier, and
I've been in a fight before now, so I know a little about it. We're
surprised, Master George, by the enemy, and without arms. First dooty
is to retreat, and you being my officer, you says we can't."

"I'm sure we can't," I said, talking to Morgan, but looking sharply
round at the Indians, who all stood gazing at us in the sternest and
most immovable way.

"Quite right, lad. Madness to talk about running, but I'd give all the
wage I've got to take dooring the next ten year, look you, to be able to
let the master know."

"Shall I call to him?"

"Only bring him up to be took prisoner too. Here, let's make the best
of it," cried Morgan, jauntily. "How are you, gentlemen?--strangers in
these parts, arn't you?"

The only man to take any notice of this easy-going address was the
Indian I imagined to be the chief, and he uttered a grunt.

"Ah, I thought so. Nice country isn't it, only we've got some ugly
customers here.--Sure they can't understand, Master George?"

"I feel nearly sure."

"So do I, lad.--Ugly customers, snakes--see?--snakes."

He took the pole quickly from my hand, and at the same moment I saw, as
it were, a shock run through the group of Indians, each man taking
tightly hold of the tomahawk he carried.

But Morgan did not notice it, and thrusting the end of the pole under
the snake, he raised it up.

"See?" he cried. "We just killed it--no, we didn't, for it isn't quite
dead."

The Indians looked at him and then at the snake, but in the most stolid
way, and I stood wondering what was to come next.

"Know what it is, I suppose?" continued Morgan, who kept on talking in
an excited way, as if to gain time while he tried to think out some
plan, as was really the case; but the audience merely looked on
frowningly, and I saw the chief draw back slightly as Morgan picked up
the head and pointed to its fangs with his finger.

The thoughts of the risk he might be running made me forget for the
moment any that was threatening us from the Indians, and I cried, in
warning tones--

"