I'm going to take care they don't hit me."

"Yes, yes, but you know what I mean."

"Right; I do, neighbour, and it's very handsome of you to offer me the
chance to back out. But I'm not going to. I've made up my mind that
it's about twice as risky to hold back, for sure as the United States
are the finest in the world, if we stop here much longer these cunning
savages will give us a surprise which will end in their losing a lot of
men through shot-holes in different parts of their persons; but those
who escape being hurt will have the satisfaction of taking possession of
all the traps of half-a-dozen folk who came to look for gold, but found
only a place to lay their bones alongside of some other folks who got
into trouble here ages and ages ago."

"Then you mean to hold to your plan?"

"I mean to do a bit to carry out young Chris's plan, and shut up the
redskins for a week or two, perhaps a month, while we get right away."

"There is a horrible side to it, Griggs."

"Would be if we let them get the better of us, sir."

"You mean the shutting up the enemy here to starve?" said Bourne.

"Tchah!" ejaculated Griggs, so sharply that the boys started. "Serve
'em right if they did, sir. What business have they to want our scalps?
But we shouldn't shut them up to starve. They'd have weeks of work
before they could get their horses out but without horses they'd be out
in a week. Starve? Nonsense! They'd have the water; they can make
fires, and cook their horses. It takes a deal to starve a redskin. But
there, I don't want to make speeches. It's all settled, gentlemen. But
you've got to tell the lookout what's coming off."

"I'm going up to have a few words there at once," said the doctor.
"Now, every one understands that he is to be ready, without showing any
watchful Indian scout that there is something on the way."

No one spoke, but the looks directed at the doctor gave answers enough,
and the afternoon was spent in preparation for what all felt might prove
the most momentous adventure of their lives.

CHAPTER FIFTY.

WORKING THE ORACLE.

The evening drew near at last, with everything made ready that was
possible. The water and provisions near at hand; saddles and bridles
examined; and according to his custom, Chris was about to go out into
the valley and see to his pony, examining the wounds and giving him
something a little extra in the way of food, when Griggs came and joined
him.

"Don'