“Shall I go along?”
“Best not, with that hurt knee. A hurt knee aint to be fooled with. Jack Pepper twisted his knee onct, and walked lame the rest o’ his nateral life.”
“Oh, I hope I won’t have to do that!” cried Dave. “I’ll take the best care I can of it.” And he did.
CHAPTER XVII
THE HOLE IN THE ICE
Sam Barringford kept his word, by starting on his search early the next morning. Dave begged to go along, but the old frontiersman shook his head.
“No, lad, I’d like your company, ye know that, but I can make time by going it alone,” he said.
The week to follow was an anxious one to the youth. Day after day he looked for Barringford’s return. In the meantime, he nursed his twisted knee faithfully, until that member seemed as strong and limber as ever.
The young soldier was now back in the ranks, and it was whispered about that he would soon be made an officer. But this honor he declined.
“Give the older heads a chance,” he said. “I am content to do my duty as a private,” and Raymond was elected in his stead.