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Dick went ahead with his story from the very beginning, and told of the downfall of Pokopokowo, and his escape, and of his all-night ride into the west, to accidentally stumble, at daylight, into camp. The boys listened in amazement to this record of courage on the part of its youngest member, and some seemed to doubt the Indian part of it.
"Don't you do that," cried Dick, who never abused Spraddle himself, and couldn't stand it to see any one else, particularly a dirty Indian, beat his pet. "White boy shut up, or Pokopokowo beat him plenty," growled the Indian. "If you dare beat me, Ted Strong will fix you when he gets you," said Dick hotly.
A small looking-glass which was slung around his neck fell off, and Dick picked it up and brought it to camp." "The Indian was Pokopokowo," said Stella. "That was his name." "I tried in every way to get a message out to you, but it seemed impossible. Then I hit upon the mirror, ripped the back off it, and made my cryptogram on it with a pin.
But he had not gone far when he was overtaken, and knocked flat with a cuff on the side of the head. As he rose slowly with his head ringing, Pokopokowo grasped him by the shoulder, and bound his hands behind him. In a moment he was back at the pony's side, and was thrown upon its back, but not in the saddle.
Backing up to the wall of the cañon, he felt with his hands for a rock, and soon knew that he was against one. As he sawed his hands back and forth, he was listening for some sound from the Indian, but heard none. Could it be that the fall had killed Pokopokowo? To his joy, he felt the cord part, and his hands were free.
No dirty Indian should have the rifle Stella had given him. But the Indian only grinned. "Me heap brave," said the Indian. "Me Pokopokowo." He looked at Dick as if he expected the boy to be deeply impressed. "I don't care who you are. I want my rifle," cried Dick. "Papoose heap fool. Get off pony." The Indian was scowling now, and looked very ferocious, and once more Dick's courage oozed.
He has just confessed that it is the intention of the Indians to rise and kill all the white settlers they can lay their hands on. I am on my way to send out the alarm." "And you say the Indians are camped at the Hole in the Wall?" "Yes, the detachment sent out early this morning were on a scouting expedition when they picked up Pokopokowo."
I let Pokopokowo see it, and when he saw that there was a picture on it, and I told him it was good medicine, he wanted it. Of course, I let him take it, hoping that it would be taken outside, and that you would chance to see it, and so learn where I was." "It was a very clever idea, and I doubt but for the mirror we should have been able to get here in time. It was little Dick who saved you."
But the Indian only laughed, and continued to beat poor Spraddle over the face, to the pain and anger of Dick, who, however, realized that he was absolutely helpless. But Pokopokowo was soon to be paid for his cruelty, and by poor Spraddle himself.
"The Indians have made no open declaration of war as yet, but it is looked for at any time." "How will it be announced?" "By the signal fires on the hills. A detachment of our men picked up early this morning a wounded Indian, named Pokopokowo. He was wounded, and was taken to the post surgeon to be cared for.
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