Soon the boys came to their own tent and entered. Deerfoot, however, was not there and this fact caused the brothers no little worry.
“Where do you suppose he is?” said Joseph anxiously.
“I wish I knew,” replied Robert. “I don’t see how anything could happen to him right here in camp though.”
“Unless there are a lot more people like Walt who think all Indians are bad. Most of these men do think that, too, I’m afraid. Perhaps if they saw Deerfoot roving around here they might lock him up or something. Someone is almost sure to insult him.”
“That’s true,” said Robert. “Suppose we go out and look for him. He may be in trouble and need help.”
They stepped outside the tent, and immediately their gaze fell upon a sight that not only allayed their fears but made them almost dance with delight. Deerfoot was approaching the tent, astride the back of one horse, while he was leading two others by their bridles. He rode beautifully and seemed almost a part of his mount as he cantered up to the place where the two brothers were standing.
“Where did you get the horses?” cried Joseph as Deerfoot pulled up his mount and came to a stop in front of the tent.
“Say,” cried Robert excitedly, “that is what I call pretty fine! Where are the saddles though, Deerfoot?”
“No more saddles,” he answered. “Me lucky to get horses.”
“I should say so,” said Joseph. “What do you want of a saddle anyway? You might think you didn’t know how to ride a horse the way you talk. We have bridles and a blanket. Isn’t that enough?”
“It is for me. I was just asking on your account,” and Robert winked at Deerfoot as he spoke. Horsemanship was a part of the education the boys had acquired from their Indian teacher and was a lesson they had learned as well as they had the others he had taught them. That was saying a great deal, too, for Deerfoot was a master who insisted that his pupils should always learn their lessons well.
“As though I couldn’t beat you riding any time!” retorted Joseph hotly. “I leave it to Deerfoot to decide which is the better rider.”
The question was not settled, however, for at this moment Walt come riding up to the place where they were standing in front of their tent.
“Yes,” said Joseph. “Deerfoot got them for us from Major Stillman.”