Part 5 (1/2)
”He isn't a handsome man,” he replied, ”but I think he will prove a valuable companion”
”You took no notice of
”Our company was too small,” returned Harry ”From inquiry I find that parties seldom consist of less than half a dozen”
”I know all about that,” said Fletcher iuided by me”
”I shall be to some extent,” answered Harry, ”but not i to have trouble with that boy,” thought Fletcher ”Wait till we get on the road” Aloud he said: ”If you had o with us You had better tell this Yankee that we haven't room for him, and I will do it now”
Fletcher's persistence only aroused vague suspicions in Harry's breast
He felt glad that Stackpole was neither a friend nor likely to prove a confederate of dick Fletcher, and was resolved to hold on to him
”I have invited him, and I won't take back the invitation,” he said
”How old are you?” asked Fletcher abruptly
”Sixteen”
”I should think you were sixty by the tone you assume,” said Fletcher with a sneer
”Do I understand, Mr Fletcher,” asked Harry steadily, ”that you clai that I am more than twice as old as you are, I am the natural head of the expedition”
”I cannot admit any such claim If you are not satisfied to be simply a member of the party, like the rest of us, I shall not be offended if you back out even now”
This, however, did not suit Fletcher, and with a forced laugh he answered, ”You are a strange boy, Vane I suppose it's the ith your countrymen I don't want to back out, as you terether”
”I wish he had decided to leave us,” said Harry when the two boys were alone ”Somehow I distrust him”
”I don't like him myself,” said Jack, ”but I don't see what harm he can do us”
”Nor I, but I feel safer with this Yankee addition to our party”
About ten o'clock the next ot off It is needless to say that Obed Stackpole contributed his full share of expense, and more too, for he furnished the yoke of oxen that were to draw the cart which conveyed their provisions and other outfit
”I don't want to push in where I aint wanted,” he said, ”but I'm used to oxen, and if you want me to, I'll drive these critters, and you three can foller along as you please”
”That'll suit raciousness ”I've no doubt you understand the business better than I do”
”I ought to understand it,” said Stackpole ”I was raised on a farm in New Hah to see over their backs I never thought then that I'd be drivin' a team in Australy”