"Didn't he say he was, and didn't he wear a chiefs medal?"
"Say? Yes, I'll be bound he'd say and wear anything to
gull us, but I'm sure he's no Pottawattamie. I never seen
a Pottawattamie of that build. They are tall, thin,
skinny, bony fellows--while this chap was square, stoat,
broad-shouldered, and full of muscle."
Corporal Nixon pondered a little, because half-convinced,
but would not acknowledge that he could have been mistaken.
"Are you all ready?" he at length inquired, anxious, like
most men, when driven into a corner on one topic, to
introduce another.
"All ready," answered Jackson, taking the first plunge
in the direction in which he knew the muskets must have
fallen.
Before following his example, the others waited for his
report. This was soon made. He had got hold of one of
the muskets, and partly lifted it from its bed, but the
net-work of strong weeds above it, opposing too much
resistance, he had been compelled to quit his hold, and
came to the surface of the water for air.
"Here's for another trial," shouted Collins, as he made
his plunge in the same direction.
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