"Johnson, I confess I fear to meet that man Fremont. And yet I hate him with a bitterness which poisons all my joys. Tell him we number seventy-five thousand fighting men, well armed and disciplined. That we are strongly fortified, and for them to advance would be certain death. Tell him it is a mistake that my soldiers are discontented, but will all fight to the last. Will you tell him this?" "I will." "Your safety may depend upon it, for I _will_ fight if I am compelled to face him with a single regiment. Last night I held a council with my officers, and we resolved to make a stand here. To retreat farther will be to bring shame upon us, and to stamp us as cowards. And I believe there is not a dozen men in my army who would not die before they would be branded as cowardly. I rely upon their pride, rather than their loyalty." "That must be your appeal. Shall I go now?" "Yes! Stay, Johnson; return by to-morrow night and tell me Fremont is dead, and you shall be richly rewarded. Tell me Sigel is also dead, and you shall have command of the second regiment." "Sigel and Fremont shall die!" "You swear it?" "Yes, I swear they _shall_ die, when--" The remaining portion of the sentence was inaudible. "Ugh!" Startled, Price turned to behold, at the base of the rock upon which he was standing, an Indian, who was, apparently, fast asleep. "Do you know that red devil?" asked Price, turning to Johnson. "Let me see." Johnson bent over the edge of the rock, and for some time remained silent. At last he said: "'Tis Red-wing, as he is called by the people hereabouts; one of the Osage tribe, I believe. But you will find little good in him, although he might be made serviceable, if you could keep whiskey from him." "Red-wing," shouted Price. "Ugh!" "You red devil, get up and show your colors, or I will send a bullet through your head!" exclaimed Johnson. There was no reply. Johnson raised his rifle, but the Indian had risen, and fixing a glance of hatred upon Johnson, he said: "Give Indian whiskey--me fight for you--me kill for you--give Indian whiskey." Price leaped from the rock, and motioned them to follow. In a few moments he reached camp, closely followed by Johnson and the Indian. The appearance of the rebel camp was somewhat singular.