They meant to steal away until they were out of sight, when they would come around behind him.

There were enough to surround him completely and to cut off his escape in any direction.
Sut saw all this and was not surprised thereat.

He believed that he was too old a bird to be caught with such chaff.

The manner in which he could defeat the purpose of Lone Wolf was by direct fight, or by forcing him into a combat which would anticipate the intention of the Apache.

He preferred the latter course, and he made the effort in the common Indian way, by uttering a taunt, still using the Apache tongue.
"Lone Wolf is a coward and a dog! He is afraid of the white hunter! He stays by his warriors, that they may hold his head when his heart grows faint at sight of his pale-face foe." Anyone who understands the temper of an Indian will see that such a taunt as this was of the most exasperating nature.