Page:Boys of the Fort.djvu/234

216 "But if I am compelled to surrender, don't you know that our army will be after you, Gilroy?"

"Never mind, we'll take care of that part of it," was the answer, with a sickly grin. "Then you agree to surrender?"

"I can't do it until I have spoken with one of the leading Indian chiefs."

At this the desperado's face fell.

"Will White Ox do?" he asked, after an awkward pause.

"Yes."

"All right; I'll bring him along in about half an hour."

This ended the interview, and turning his horse Matt Gilroy rode off and Captain Moore walked back to the fort.

"A little time gained, at least," was the young officer's comment.

It was fully an hour before Gilroy reappeared, accompanied by White Ox and an under-chief known as Little Wildcat.

"Want to talk," grunted White Ox, coming to a halt at a safe distance.

"Have you dug up the hatchet, White Ox?" demanded the captain. "If not, let us smoke the pipe of peace together."

"The pipe of peace is broken," answered the old Indian. "The white man is not the red man's