In thet way we'll make sure o' keepin' 'em from runnin' off the weemen; beside it'll gie us the more likelier chance to make a good count o' the redskin sculps." "What do you say, boys ?" asks the Ranger captain, addressing himself more especially to the men composing his command.
"Cully's right," is the response from a majority of voices.
"Then we must stay here till night.

If we go forward now, they may see us before we get within shooting distance.

So you think, Cully, you can take up the trail at night, supposing it to be a dark one ?" "Pish!" retorts the old prairie-man, with a disdainful toss of his head.
"Take up the trail o' a Tenawa Injun?
I'd do that in the darkest night as iver shet down over a prairie.

The skunks! I ked smell the place they'd passed over." There is no further discussion.

Cully's opinion is all-powerful, and determines the course to be pursued.