s
the snowy plain that stretched out from the foot of the mountain in
which was the cavern.

"They're certainly comin' on," observed Abe, grimly. "Git ready for
'em, boys!"

The gold-seekers lined up at the mouth of the cave, with guns in
their hands. At the sight of this small, but formidable force, the
Indians halted. They were armed with guns of ancient make, while
some had spears, and others bows and arrows. A few had grabbed up
stones as weapons.

There appeared to be a consultation going on among them, and,
presently, one of the number, evidently a chief or a spokesman, gave
his gun to one of his followers, and, holding his hands above his
head, while he waved a rag that might have once been white, came
forward.

"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."

"This fellow is a sort of chief, an' he says the white folks?--that's
us, you know?--have taken th' Indians' cave. He says he doesn't
want t' have any trouble, an' that we can stay here as long as we
like, but that we must give him an' his followers a lot of food.
Says they hain't got much. Land! Those beggars would eat us out of
everything we had if we'd let 'em!"

"What are you going to tell them?" inquired Mr. Damo