Dick felt that he had reason to be proud of what he had done. To get an Indian, who could not talk English, beyond a few words, to understand that they were only ordinary, every-day boys instead of the important personages Andrew Waller had pictured, was a triumph indeed. "I am asking him to pass the news along, and spread it far and wide," explained Dick, as he continued his gestures and forceful words; "and I think he knows. Here, let me do a little picture writing for him; perhaps that may help." He picked up a piece of smooth bark, and, using the point of Roger's hunting knife, managed to scratch several crude designs upon it. Two of these represented the rising and the setting sun. Then a figure with a Dacotah head-dress stood half way between with arms outstretched. Showing this to the brave, Dick once more began to speak and make gestures. While he could not of course be certain, still he had every reason to believe that the other understood what he was driving at, for he nodded, touched each of the boys on the chest, then shook his head in the negative, and said something in the Dacotah tongue which Dick fancied meant White Father. "That's the best I can do with him, Roger; and now we must be on our way again. Whether it works or not, at least we can feel that we have done the right thing." CHAPTER XX THE RETURN FROM CAPTIVITY THEY parted from the Dacotah brave with what was doubtless intended to be grateful gestures on his part. "He seems to understand that we have played the part of friends," said Roger, "and I think if the chance ever comes up he will stand by us." "I am of the same opinion," declared Dick, "though for that matter I hope we may never need his help. After all, we did not lose much time, and it was worth while to save a life." They pushed on diligently for a long time. Dick was not in doubt as to his course, for he had taken particular pains to notice as they came along on the preceding day, in the company of the Indians. When Roger happened to ask once if he were quite sure the river lay directly ahead of them, Dick answered confidently. "Unless it makes a great sweep to the north somewhere above us we will run upon the river by nightfall, take my word for it;" and Roger, accustomed to depending fully on his comrade, never doubted after that moment. Something else was soon upon his mind, however, and he voiced his thoughts by appealing to Dick. "Do you think it would be dangerous if you shot your gun off just once, in case we sighted some game? I feel very hungry, for that supper the Indians gave us didn't seem to do me much good. And breakfast is one of my best meals, you know." Dick laughed at seeing the appealing look on his chum's face. "I don't think the danger of the shot's being heard is one-half as great as you think you are of starving to death," he told Roger.