Loud words arose among the Indians, and White Calf answered, gesticulating excitedly: "Heap good horse!" he said, pointing to the horses of the party.
"White man go! Injun heap get horse! Injun heap shoot!" "This is d----d intimidation!" shouted Battersleigh, starting up and shaking a fist in White Calf's face.
"Give up our horses?
Not by a d----d sight!" said Curly.

"You can heap shoot if you want to turn loose, but you'll never set me afoot out here, not while I'm a-knowin' it!" The situation was tense, and Franklin felt his heart thumping, soldier though he was.

He began to step back toward the wagons with his friends.

A confused and threatening uproar arose among the Indians, who now began to crowd forward.

It was an edged instant.