“And why?”
“That fellow was twice as big as you and you hadn’t an earthly chance in a fight with him.”
“Do you ’spose that is the first time I ever met a mountain Injin?”
“You never fought one of that size in this spot.”
“What difference does the spot make?”
“I want you to understand,” said the captain with assumed gravity, “that I didn’t interfere out of any regard for you.”
“What the mischief are you driving at?” demanded the puzzled guide.
“Under ordinary circumstances, I would have stood 209 by and watched the flurry, only wishing that the best man might win. That means, of course, that you would have been the loser. But we need some one to guide us through the mountains; you haven’t done it yet; when your work is over you may go and live on wild Indians for all I care.”
Vose quickly regained his good nature. He returned his knife to its resting place, picked up his rifle, grasped the bridle rein and gently pulled.
“Come, Hercules; I don’t know whether they appreciate us or not; steady now!”