"Dead also!"
The tears came into Tommy's eyes.
The major looked intently at Smithers.
"Say, pard," he exclaimed, "why didn't you tell me this before? Did you see your family shot down?"
"No, but they were captured by Capt. Jordan."
"Didn't it ever occur to you that, if you'd been a man, you would have raised a hand for them? If you'd told me, if you'd said a word to the boys we'd have made a raid on the Snake Canyon, and Jordan wouldn't have stopped any more travelers."
Tommy looked up with determination.
"If father hasn't courage enough to go after mamma, I'll go by myself!" he exclaimed.
"Bully for you, my boy," said the major.
"What's the use, she's dead and gone now; don't talk like a fool, Tommy," remarked Smithers.