"How long we got to stay here?" he demanded. "I've a good notion to
get up and walk back to camp. They don't dare hurt us."

"Lie still!" commanded his companion sternly. "I have a plan that we
may be able to put into operation. We can't do it now, though."

The lads waited, Tad almost with the patience of an Indian, Chunky ill
at ease and restless.

"Can't you lie still? What ails you?"

"My stomach's fighting my appetite. Hear 'em growl at each other?"

"S-h-h-h."

"I don't care. I'd 'bout as soon be scalped as to starve to death."

The braves had by now filled their stomachs, gulping their food down
without the formality of chewing it at all. Stacy's amazement was
partly mixed with admiration as he observed the food disappear with
such rapidity.

Now the braves had begun puffing at their pipes. After a time, one by
one laid down his smoking bowl and stretched himself out for a nap,
just as Tad had said they would. The savages were spread out so that
they had a very good view of three sides of the rock on which the two
lads were perched, but the fourth side was hidden from them. Tad
decided that, as the Indians showed no intention of moving, they were
going to remain where they were until night.