The Indians had their backs turned and did not appear to notice Brad and Dan.
Eagle Feather was completing a grocery purchase. He had bought bacon, flour, matches and items one might need if embarking on an extensive camping trip.
Now that they were in the store, Brad and Dan hesitated to speak to the two Indians.
The Cubs were not actually afraid of the strangers, but their appearance seemed less friendly than at the meeting by the cliff. Eagle Feather and White Nose were grimly intent upon their purchases.
“Go ahead,” Dan urged Brad in a whisper, giving him a nudge. “Ask ’em.”
Brad moved closer to the counter. Both Indians now saw the boys, but stared at them without friendly recognition.
For an instant the boys were taken aback, wondering if they had made a mistake.
But a second glance reassured them that the Indians were the same pair they had met at the cliff.
Taken aback, because he knew that both Indians spoke English almost perfectly, Brad momentarily was at a loss for words.
“You remember us,” Dan said, coming to the rescue. “We’re the Cub Scouts you met at the cliff. We want you to come to one of our meetings and talk to the boys about Indian customs. Will you?”
The two Indians stared stoically, as if they had not understood a single word of the request.
It was Dan’s turn to become confused. He could not comprehend the Indians’ strange behavior. Why were they turning on the “freeze,” pretending that they never had seen the pair before?
White Nose deliberately turned his back to Brad and Dan. He directed himself to the storekeeper.
Then as the storekeeper failed to catch the meaning, he grudgingly interpreted in English, “How much?”
White Nose paid the amount, receiving change for a ten-dollar bill. He pocketed the money and picked up the box of groceries. The pair left the store without a second glance at the two Cubs.
“Well, was that a brush-off?” Dan demanded indignantly.
“They knew us all right! For some reason they pretended otherwise.”
“Maybe they stole the Navajo blanket, and were afraid we’d jump them for it, Brad!”
“Exactly what I was thinking,” Brad agreed soberly. “Looks as if they’re planning on camping out somewhere in the woods, judging from all the supplies they bought. If they’re going to stay anywhere near our river place, then it behooves us to keep watch!”