“You followed me from Dolliver’s?”
“Surest thing you know. You were batty to even think of going to the Gold Hill camp. Chip fretted about that, and we all started after you.”
“Well, well!” Darrel changed his position a little and then wriggled into a sitting posture. “Was the colonel hurt?”
“No, my lad,” said the colonel, stepping closer and speaking for himself. “I’m all right, thanks to you. You reached the fuse just in the nick of time, although I’d have sworn you couldn’t make it. What did you mean by disregarding my orders to turn back?”
“I wasn’t caring a whoop about orders,” said Darrel. “If you gave any I don’t believe I heard them, anyhow. I know I pinched out the fire, but what I was wondering was whether you had been hurt by that bowlder.”
The colonel explained how he had escaped injury from the falling rock.
“I’m afraid,” he added, “that you’ve done that arm of yours little good by this day’s work. If you feel able, you might come along to the camp with me. We can make you comfortable there, and——”
Darrel shook his head.
“I’m obliged to you, colonel,” he answered, “but I reckon Dolliver’s is the best place for me for a while.”
“You’re able to ride back there?”