"Do you mean that Cruickshank did these things on purpose?" asked Corbett slowly, his face growing strangely hard as he spoke.
"Read Rob's letter," said Rampike, and gave Ned the scrap of paper on which Rob had found time to write a brief record of the journey from Douglas, ending his story in these words—"Cruickshank means Corbett mischief, so I am staying instead of the lad. What his game is with the pack-ponies I am blowed if I know, but if I don't come in with them inside of a week, do some of you fellows try and get even with the colonel for the sake of your old pal Roberts."
For several minutes after reading this note no one spoke; each man was thinking out the situation after his own fashion.
"Will you trust me with grub for a fortnight, Rampike?" asked Ned at last.
"Yes, lad, if you like; but you won't want to borrow. Men like you can earn all they want here;" and the miner looked appreciatively at the big-limbed man before him.
"I'll earn it by and by, Rampike. I'm going after Roberts first," replied Ned quietly.
"How's that?" demanded Rampike.
"I'm going after Roberts and Cruickshank. Can I have the grub?"
"If that's your style, you can have all the grub you want if I have to go hungry for a week. When will you start?"