Part 1 (2/2)
said the first speaker ”I was always proud of the way in which my ranche was protected and my cattle cared for”
”We could not help the Injuns sta me at last, my lads? No; it was no fault of yours I suppose it wasup so close to the hunting-grounds, and the Injun being so near”
”Ah well, we need not consider how all that came to pass, my lads: we know they ruined me”
”And you never killed one o' therowled Joses
”Nor wished to, my lad They did not take our lives”
”But they would if they could have broken in and burnt us out, rowled Joses
”Perhaps so; well, let us understand one anotherAre you afraid?”
”Suppose we all are, o back?”
”No, not one of us, rowl of satisfaction
”But you object to going forward, my men?”
”Well, you see it's like this,Master Bart, and Miss Maude there; but they think you ought to go where it's safe-like, and not where we're 'most sure to be tortured and scalped There's lots o' places where the whites are in plenty”
”And where every gully and o where white men have never been before, and search the old and silver and that sort of thing, ht, o back because it is dangerous?”
”I never said such a word, master I only said it warn't safe”
”And for answer to that, Joses, I say that, danger or no danger, I ood venture in one of these unknown regions Now then, have you made up your minds? If not, make them up quickly, and let me knohat you mean to do”
Joses did not turn round to his companions, whose spokesarette:
”Mind's o back?”
”Yes, master”
”All of you?”
”All of us, master,” said Joses slowly ”When you do,” he added after a pause
”I kneould say that, sir,” cried the youth who had been looking on and listening attentively; ”I knew Joses would not leave us, nor any of the others”