Howard had thought the same thing a score of times since noon, and there was no need of his being told how the Pah Utah would have acted had he remained with them.
"I thinks Mr. Shasta isn't a great many miles off. P'rhaps," added Tim, significantly, "he's kapin' watch upon us and will come to our help in our throuble."
But the contingency, to Howard at least, was too remote for him to build any hopes upon it. It seemed more probable that the Indian's friendship had led him much further out of the way than they had suspected, and that he was now many a long mile off, speeding toward home.
"He may find out that the youngster is wid 'em," added Tim, "whin he will hasten to his relaaf."
"That seems the most likely."
"There's but one thing agin it."
"And what is that?"
But the Irishman was silent. The boy repeated his question.
"It's bad—let it be."
But Howard insisted.