Then, without even bidding Dick good-by, the strange old redskin turned and strode away, soon passing from the moonlight into the shadow of the deep woods, which hid him from view.
CHAPTER XIX.
READY ARRIVES.
Not a word did Frank say about Dick’s attempt to run away, and, as they had returned to and entered the cabin quietly, Juan Delores knew nothing of it.
Of course, Felicia was amazed and overjoyed when, the following morning, she found Dick still there. Dick would say nothing save that he had decided not to go away for a while.
Old Joe was gone, but as the Indian had a habit of disappearing and appearing without warning, nothing was thought of this.
In spite of himself, deep down in his heart Dick Merriwell felt further respect for his brother. He was compelled to confess to himself that Frank was very clever, and he came to stand in some awe of him. Still, he persisted in his determination not to let Merry “boss” him.
“I’ll always be free,” he muttered over and over. “I’ll never go into a school. He can’t make me do that.”
But he wondered greatly how Frank had discovered that he was going away at all. He did not know that Merry had left the cabin by the back door, while Old Joe smoked by the wall, and strayed into the woods. He did not know that Merry had paused by the path and knelt to examine a wild flower he found growing there. And, while Frank was kneeling thus, Dick and Felicia came along the path. From the little portion of their talk, that Merriwell heard as they bade each other good-by, he learned that Dick was going away with Old Joe, whom he would meet that night near Black Rock.
And thus it happened that Frank was on hand at that meeting.
Merry was satisfied that his strange, wild, young brother cared for him more than he wished any one to know, else he would not have made such frantic haste to disconcert Old Joe’s aim. Had the Indian shot Merry down, Dick would have been free forever, yet the boy sprang at once to prevent that act.