He rode up to the rock, which stood like an island of shade in that sea of soft moonlight, and, peering into the shadows, spoke a guarded challenge: "Who's that ?" A figure detached itself without sound from the blot of darkness there, and stood almost at his stirrup.
"Yo' Good Injun--me likum for talk yo'." Good Indian was conscious of a distinct disappointment, though he kept it from his voice when he answered: "Oh, it's you, Peppajee.

What you do here?
Why you no sleepum yo' wikiup ?" Peppajee held up a slim, brown hand for silence, and afterward rested it upon the saddle-fork.
"Yo' heap frien' Peaceful.

Me heap frien' all same.

Mebbyso we talk.
Yo' get down.

No can see yo', mebbyso; yo' no likum bad man for se--" He stepped back a pace, and let Good Indian dismount; then with a gesture he led him back into the shadow of the rock.
"Well, what's the row ?" Good Indian asked impatiently, and curiously as well.
Peppajee spoke more hastily than was usual.