"Them's them," he ejaculated sententiously.
"And by my spurs he's a giant," added Texas.
"Yes, and there the gal behind him, Tex. She's a wonder."
"There's some things worse'n some squaws," replied Texas.
"I'll take the big one and you get the girl, but don't hurt her. Give her a hunch as to what we're up to as soon as you get your clamps on her. Now."
Silently and with bated breaths, the two desperadoes waited until the medicine man, who indeed did loom up a veritable giant in stature, had passed Texas.
He was right beside Tony now, and so close that the bandit could easily have reached out and touched him. But Tony did not propose to adopt the ordinary methods of catching an Indian and for the very good reason that he had no ordinary man to deal with.
His plans had been quickly matured. And what he did was successful from the very novelty of the proceeding.
What Tony did was to shove a stout stick squarely between the medicine man's shins, at the same time giving a quick, sharp twist.
The Indian plunged head foremost to the ground, his feet waving wildly in the air for a moment. But before he could gain equilibrium or cry out, the same stout stick came down on his head with crushing force.
"Holy snakes!" exclaimed Texas with genuine admiration. "Ef that ain't the all-firedest way to catch a doctor that I ever seen. Here, my pretty squaw, you're my prisoner too. Now come along like a good little papoose."
Dew Drop, with a surprised look in her eyes, turned to flee. Texas caught her.
"Keep yer head plumb. We're just makin' believe capturin' you and when old sawbones wakes up we'll have you tied so he don't get wise to your little game. See?"
A smile slowly rippled over the face of the little red girl.
"Pale face smart like Indian," she answered, nodding her head vigorously. "Um hurry. Big Bear and braves up yonder. Come for Jess Jame pretty soon."
"Jess?" questioned Tony rising from the medicine man whose arms and hands he had been pinioning. "By the way, where's the chief. He went with you, didn't he?"
"That's funny. Lend a hand here, Texas and let's get this red devil into the cave. No need to blindfold him now--"
"Didn't put out his light, did you Tony?" asked Texas a bit anxiously.