“I am glad to have it at any time.”
“Howsumever, what I say is as much for the leftenant as for you, which the same is that both of you should give up this bus’ness.”
“But,” said Nellie, “you have just told us that father is so angry with Lieutenant Russell that he will shoot him the moment they meet.”
“We can fix that easy ’nough; let the leftenant stay here while you go with me; I think we can explain matters to the captain and the others so they won’t bother the leftenant.”
“And what am I to do?” asked Russell.
“Push on to Sacramento as fast as you can, for though I think I can fix it, I wouldn’t advise you to take too many chances.”
“In other words, after Nellie and I have fled from 277 the settlement and got this far on the road to safety, you urge me to give her up forever.”
“Wal, that’s lookin’ a little further ahead than I meant to, but I ’spose it amounts to that.”
“You mean well, Vose, but do you imagine that Nellie and I did not count the cost before turning our backs on New Constantinople? Don’t you suppose we knew we should be pursued and were prepared for the consequences?”
“I can’t say as to that, but it strikes me that the plan I laid before you is the only one there is.”