Page:Lost with Lieutenant Pike (1919).djvu/142

 And the lieutenant and the doctor, with Baroney and Stub ready to interpret for them, led for the Indians.

"Pawnee, hein (hey)?" said Baroney.

"No Republic Pawnee; Grand Pawnee. War party; no horses," Stub explained. There was a difference between the Republic Pawnees and the Grand Pawnees.

"Others yonder, lieutenant!" exclaimed the doctor.

They looked. Another squad of the Indians were running down from a hill on the left. They carried flags on lances—the Grand Pawnee war colors.

"Make a surround!" guessed Baroney.

The lieutenant reined his horse, and drew his curved sword.

"Company, halt! Watch sharp, men!"

He glanced right and left, waiting to see if this was an attack. No—for, as the doctor suddenly said:

"Those first fellows act friendly, lieutenant. They have no arms; they're holding out empty hands."

"Forward!" ordered the lieutenant.

In a minute more they met the Indians from the timber. These Pawnees did indeed act friendly—and all too friendly! They crowded in among the