Page:Lost with Lieutenant Pike (1919).djvu/147

 *dians who were given the presents threw them upon the ground.

The lieutenant shook hands with the chiefs, and rose.

"All ready, doctor," he called. "Pack your animals, sergeant, where necessary. We march."

The Pawnees sprang up, too, and crowded forward again.

"They make a surround," said Baroney.

"Look out, lieutenant! They're stealing your pistols—mine, too!" cried the doctor.

The lieutenant leaped upon his horse just in time to rescue his pistols, hanging from the saddle. He was hemmed in. The soldiers were swearing and darting back and forth, grabbing at thieves and protecting the baggage also.

Now the lieutenant had lost his hatchet. He exclaimed furiously.

"Tell the chief my hatchet is gone."

The chief only said:

"These are small matters for a great man."

He drew his buffalo robe high and turned his back.

The lieutenant flushed, more angry still, and stiffened in his saddle. He meant business. Stub had seen him look this way before.

"Leave the baggage and get your men to one