He listened, heard it again, and looked challengingly at Peppajee.

But Peppajee gave no sign that he either heard the sound or saw the challenge in Good Indian's eyes.
"I Rachel's friend," he said, speaking distinctly with his face half turned toward the wall of deerskin.

"I want to tell Rachel what the sheriff said.

I want to thank Rachel, and tell her I'm her friend.

I don't want to bring trouble." He stopped and listened, but there was no sound within.
Peppajee eyed him comprehendingly, but there was no yielding in his brown, wrinkled face.
"Yo' Rachel's frien', yo' pikeway," he insisted doggedly.
From under the wall of the wikiup close to Good Indian on the side farthest from Peppajee, a small, leafless branch of sage was thrust out, and waggled cautiously, scraping gently his hand.