“How about you?” grimly asked Lieutenant Russell.
“I’m left.”
“How’s that?”
“A low down trick was played onto me; as near as I can find out, the captain comes first, Wade and the parson next and me fourth. You can see for yourself that there won’t be any chance at all left for me after them three is through.”
“It doesn’t look so,––that’s a fact. But where are the three?”
“Along the main trail, down in the kenyon.”
“Why did they not come with you?”
“I advised ’em to wait till I found out how the land laid and they won’t leave the spot till I get back.”
Lieutenant Russell gave no expression to the thought 275 that flashed upon him. Why not keep Vose Adams a prisoner? The loss of his services to the party would be irreparable, for, as it was, the present hiding place of the fugitives never would have become known to them without the help of the guide. It was a daring scheme, but there were so many objections to carrying it out, that the officer dismissed it. In truth he thought of a much better plan.
“You have told me enough, Vose, to prove that the four men––for I may as well include yourself––feel bitterer toward me than I suspected: do you think this enmity of theirs will last?”