"Saying what?" she demanded breathlessly.
"Well, saying that he had enlisted to keep from being executed, and—that's about all!"
"And not a word about me?"
"Yes," admitted Bud; "he said he'd try to put up with it—on account of you—and—"
"What?" she entreated, taking him beseechingly by the coat.
"Well," stammered Hooker, shifting his feet and looking away, "he told me to kinder take care of you—while he was gone."
"Ah!" she breathed, still standing close to him, "and will you do it?"
"I reckon so," said Bud, "if we have any trouble."
"But I'm in trouble now!" she cried. "I'm watched—I can't get away—and I'm afraid!"
"Afraid of what?" he demanded.