“Ogh! jump on, an’ shut up yer meat-trap; it’s time we started.”
“I said I was going to remain here.”
“Do you mean it, Jarsey?” he queried, bending such a fierce look upon me.
“Most certainly I do.”
“Then, all Bill Biddon’s got to say is, you’re a fool.”
I colored slightly at this, but made no reply.
“What yer going to stay fur? Get shot and lose yer ha’r, I s’pose, jist to please the reds.”
“I am sorry, friend Biddon, that you feel thus. When Nathan Todd and I left the States for this country, we pledged eternal friendship to each other, and I am sure I should never feel at ease if I should leave him in this dire extremity. I am by no means satisfied that I can afford him no assistance, although he is a captive. He has no claims upon you, and I should not expect you to remain, but, as I said, I am determined not to leave this place until I have obtained satisfactory intelligence of him.”
The trapper remained silent a few moments after this. He then spoke: