That was the extent of his remarks.

"I guess Injuns ain't got much of a supply of words," remarked Will
aside to Bluff.

"But he means all right. I like the old chap's looks. Come along, Frank,
and tell us all about it. You look like you've been in a fight. Say! the
reds didn't tackle you, did they?" exclaimed Bluff.

"One did; a little chap about hip-high. Ho was out trying to snare a
jack-rabbit, when he found me. I'd taken a header down over a root, and
was lying in a state where I didn't care whether school kept or not. He
led me to their camp, and Jerry found me there later. That's all of it
in a nutshell. Now I'm going to have Mr. Mabie wrap up my hand and take
a look at my head, for it still rings."

After an examination, the ranchman declared that there was nothing
serious the matter.

"It may take a few days for that lump to subside, and these cuts to
heal, but you came out of it better than an old fellow like me could
have done," he said, and Frank felt relieved.

"What are you going to do with Running Elk?" he asked.

"Send him back to his people with some food. Then he will carry this
letter to my foreman, who will look after the party until we get back.
After that I'll see to it that Pierre is taken care of and the chief
recalled to his own."