“It can’t continner,” he added, “so we must make the best of it while we’ve got it; we’re getting into the mountains, and though it’s about summer, we’ll catch some squalls that’ll freeze the nose onto yer faces.”
“It strikes me, Shagbark,” said Alden, “that that train two or three miles ahead of us have kept almost the same distance for the last few days.”
“Ye’re right, younker.”
“What do you make of it?”
“That we both happen to be tramping at the same rate. If they went a little faster they’d draw away from us, or if we went a little faster we’d overhaul ’em.”
“How large do you make out the party to be?”
“’Bout the same as ours; they’ve got an extra wagon and a few mules, but I don’t think thar’s more men and women.”
“Wouldn’t it be well for us to unite and travel together? It would be much safer in case of attack by Indians.”
Shagbark shook his head.