Bob heard him out, then with a final word of caution, again slipped away, once more skirted camp through the trees, and approached the group from the waterside. The two other half-breeds were being grilled, but without success. At Bob’s approach, Mr. Hampton turned again to Art.
“Bring that other fellow here,” he commanded. “See if he knows any more than these men.”
The man was brought into the council, but, acting on instructions, maintained an obstinate silence.
“Oh, take them away, and feed them,” said Mr. Hampton finally, as if despairing of obtaining any information. “We’ll talk to them later, after I’ve eaten. Dick’s fish will get cold if we don’t fall to, and I’m too hungry to delay with these rascals.”
The men, whose ankle bonds had been removed, were returned to the other side of the camp and, with their hands untied, were permitted to eat under the watchful eyes of Dick and Art. Then once more they were tied up.
Meantime, Mr. Hampton turned eagerly to Bob, as soon as the trio of prisoners was out of hearing.
“Out with it, Bob,” he said. “I can see you’re dying to tell us. Must be important.”
“Mr. Hampton, you think we’re alone in this wilderness except for Lupo’s gang?”
“I don’t know who else would be here. This is country that white men never get into.”
“Well, Thorwaldsson, Farrell and three followers of their party of ten are not more than two hundred miles away; perhaps less than that.”
Mr. Hampton was so excited he almost dropped his portion of fish into the fire.
“It’s true,” said Bob. “At least that’s what this fellow, Long Tom, declares. Long Tom—that’s his name.”
It was MacDonald who asked the question, and Bob turned to him.
“That’s what I asked him. He said Thorwaldsson had been attacked before he reached the oil country, and Thorwaldsson, Farrell and four of his men cut off from their camp. Those in the camp were killed, and Thorwaldsson’s supplies looted. He says a big band of Indians committed the outrage.”
“Merely operating on their own, says Long Tom. He was with them. They wanted the loot. What they didn’t understand, they destroyed.”
“That’s why nothing has been heard of Thorwaldsson,” said Mr. Hampton, “for his radio equipment must have been among ‘the things they didn’t understand.’ Go on, Bob.”