Frank Merriwell's Alarm Part 11

"There are lots of things about that fellow that none of us know anything about," a.s.serted Browning, who was no less surprised, although he did not show it.

"He is a fool to work so hard to please these wretched savages!"

muttered Diamond.

"Now, don't you take Frank Merriwell for a fool in anything!" came swiftly from Harry. "I never knew him to make a fool of himself in all my life, and I have seen a good deal of him."

"Well, why is he cutting up all those monkey tricks? What will it amount to when it is all over?"

"Wait and see."

"The Indians will treat us just the same as if he had not done those things."

"Perhaps so."

"Of course they will!"

"Now, Black Feather, old jiblets," cried Frank, in his merriest manner, "I am going to do something else. Get onto this."

Sending the bicycle along at high speed Frank lay over the handlebars and swung his feet into the air till he held himself suspended in that manner, head down and feet up.

The Indians were more pleased and astonished than ever.

"Oh, it's all in knowing how!" laughed Frank, as he gracefully and lightly dropped back to the saddle.

Again the Indians grunted.

"Now, Black Feather, old chappie," said Frank, "I am going to do the greatest trick of all. I'll have to get a big start and have lots of room. Watch me close."

Away he went, bending over the handlebars and sending the bicycle flying over the ground. He acted as if he intended to make a big circle, but suddenly turned and rode straight toward the pa.s.s by which they had entered the basin. Before the Indians could realize his intention, he was almost out of sight in the darkness of the young night.

Howls of rage and dismay broke from the redmen. They shouted after the boy, but he kept right on, quickly disappearing from view.

"There," sighed Browning, with satisfaction, "I told you he was not doing all that work for nothing, fellows."

"He's done gone an' lef us!" wailed Toots.

"That's what he has!" grated Diamond--"left us to the mercy of these miserable redskins! That's a fine trick!"

"Oh, will you ever get over it?" rasped Rattleton. "Why shouldn't he?

He had his chance, and he'd been a fool not to skin out!"

"I thought he would stand by us in such a sc.r.a.pe as this."

"What you thought doesn't cut any ice. He'll come back."

"After we are murdered."

Rattleton would have said something more, but the Indians, who had been holding an excited conversation, suddenly grasped the four remaining lads in a threatening manner.

"Oh, mah goodness!" palpitated Toots. "Heah is whar I's gwan teh lose mah wool! It am feelin' po'erful loose already!"

Browning was on the point of launching out with his heavy fists and making as good battle of it as he could when he heard Black Feather say:

"No hurt white boys. Make um keep still, so um not run 'way off like odder white boy. That am all."

"I'll take chances on it," muttered Bruce, giving up quietly.

The four lads were forced to sit on the ground, and some of the savages squatted near. The fire was replenished, and the Indians seemed to hold a council.

"Deciding how they will kill us," said Diamond, gloomily.

"Nothing of the sort," declared Rattleton. "See them making motions toward the bicycles. They are talking about the wonderful two-wheeled horses."

"Gracious!" gasped Toots; "dat meks mah hair feel easier!"

Browning held a hand on his stomach in a pathetic manner.

"Oh, my!" he murmured. "How vacant and lonely my interior department seems to be! Methinks I could dine."

"The hard bread and jerked beef," whispered Jack. "It is in the carriers attached to the wheels."

"Yes, and we had better let it remain there."

"Why?"

"These Indians look hungry, too."

"You think----"

"I do. They will take it away from us and eat it if we bring it out.

That would leave us in a bad fix."

"But they can get it out of the carriers."

"They can, but they won't."

"Why not?"

"They are afraid of those bicycles--so afraid that they will not go near them. Therefore our hard bread and jerked beef is safe as long as we let it remain where it is."

Harry agreed with Bruce, and they decided not to touch the food in the carriers; but all were thirsty again, and they expressed a desire to have another drink from the water-hole.

To this the Indians did not object, and they took turns at drinking, although the water did not taste nearly as sweet as it had the first time.

Having satisfied themselves in this manner they sat down on the ground once more, being compelled to do so by the redskins, who were watching them closely.

"They have us in a bad position in case they take a notion to crack us over the head," said Harry. "We wouldn't get a show."