“That is too true, Nat. In fact, since we have been walking here, I have persuaded myself that those fellows would, just as likely as not, turn something out of the way to get rid of us.”
“Somehow or other, I’ve felt just the same for a week.”
“Then, if we value our property, we mustn’t let them slip.”
“No; I’ll be shot, if we must!” exclaimed Nat, half angrily, striking at once into a more rapid walk. “If they run off with my mare, I’ll—I’ll—” and again he strode faster over the prairie.
Long—long, we journeyed in silence. Nat’s apprehensions had been aroused, and he was willing to walk the whole night to come up with those in whose honesty he had so little faith. Now and then he would mutter incoherently to himself and shoot ahead, keeping me almost on a run to maintain my place beside him. Suddenly he halted, and turned upon me with an expression I shall never forget. I could see his eyes expanded to twice their usual size, and his whole face aglow beneath his monstrous hat, as he asked in a cold whisper:
“Wonder if there’s Injins about to-night.”
I laughed outright.
“Why, Nat, you ain’t afraid, are you?”
“Who said I was afraid? I just asked a question.”