Part 16 (2/2)
”Why?”
”What should we do for our meals? So long as we stay in these mountains we must live on game. This seasoning that Hank was thoughtful enough to give us makes it palatable, but coffee, bread and a few vegetables would help a good deal.”
”It doesn't make much difference, so long as we are blessed, or rather tortured, with such appet.i.tes as we have had ever since we struck Wyoming.”
From where they sat at the mouth of the cavern they saw all three of their ponies cropping the succulent gra.s.s. It was evident that nothing could add to their enjoyment of this outing.
Naturally the boys speculated over the absence of their guide.
”He must have expected to spend the night with us. And, Fred, perhaps it will be just as well, when he does come, that we don't tell him how I pa.s.sed the time when trying to act the sentinel.”
”I surely shall not, unless he questions us so closely that we cannot help letting him know the truth.”
”He will have a small opinion of us.”
”Why of '_us_?'”
”Because you would have done the same as I.”
”That has not yet been proven.”
”Well, say 'myself,' if that suits better.”
”It is a very good amendment. I wonder whether anything can have befallen him?”
”He is too much of a veteran to make such blunders as we.”
”That is true, and yet the most skilful hunter in the world is liable to accident. What's frightened the ponies?”
One of the animals had raised his head, with the gra.s.s dripping like green water from his jaws, and was looking off to the side of the plateau as if he scented danger of some kind. He was near the further boundary, thus being considerably removed from the boys, who grasped their Winchesters and rose to their feet.
”It's Hank's horse,” said Jack, in an undertone; ”the others do not seem to be interested in what disturbs him.”
”And there comes Hank himself!” was the delighted exclamation of Fred, as they saw their old friend step into view from behind the rocks and walk with his peculiar silent stride toward them.
The movement of the beard under the broad sombrero showed that the guide was smiling, and doubtless he was as pleased as the boys over the meeting. He advanced with the same lengthy step and extended his hand with his hearty ”Howdy?” to each in turn.
”Glad to see you, younkers; you seem to have got along as well without me as if I'd been with you.”
”Nothing has come amiss; but, Hank, we're glad indeed to see you.”
”Where did you git your breakfast?” he asked, glancing at the signs of the meal of which they had partaken.
”Oh, I thought it best yesterday afternoon to shoot a buck,” said Fred, airily; ”for the main thing for us to do in this part of the world is to look out that we don't starve to death.”
<script>