The boys edged closer, their hands resting suggestively upon their gun-butts.

Old Peaceful half-raised his rifle, and held it so.

It was like being compelled to watch a fuse hiss and shrivel and go black toward a keg of gun-powder.
"I believe, by heck, you would!" said Stanley at last, and so long a time had elapsed that even Good Indian had to think back to know what he meant.

Stanley squinted up at the sun, hitched himself up so that his back rested against the tree more comfortably, inspected his cigarette, and then fumbled for a match with which to relight it.

"How'd you find out Baumberger was back uh this deal ?" he asked curiously and without any personal resentment in tone or manner, and raked the match along his thigh.
Good Indian's shoulders went up a little.
"I knew, and that's sufficient.