“It’s gettin’ purty well on into the day, younker, and you’d better wait till mornin’ afore you start on such a tramp.”
Regarding this invitation as insincere, Harry paid no heed to it, and had actually taken several steps on his way, when Little Rifle unexpectedly put in an appearance.
“If you must go, Harry,” said he, as he stepped forth into the open air, “I’ll go with you until you’re within sight of the fort. It is a good ways from here, and you know what danger there is to pass through. I should never forgive myself if any thing should happen to you.”
Harry was touched at this generous offer, and he felt all his resentment vanish on the instant, to be succeeded by his tender, loving affection for the lad who had already so generously risked his life for him.
He looked toward old Robsart, who he expected would object to any such proceeding, but he seemed to be as willing to this arrangement as to any thing else. Indeed he showed that he looked upon it with favor, for he said:
“Take the straightest course you can foller, younkers, for you will need all your time. But see here, Little Rifle, I want to say a word or two to you afore you go.”
There could be no legitimate objection to this, but it disturbed Harry, as he saw the two walk away, side by side, for a rod or two, and then, standing with their backs to him, engage in a cautious but earnest conversation.
He did not hear a word, but, as he looked that way, he could see both gesticulating, the old trapper being much more excited than the younger, who from appearances was mildly expostulating against some of his utterances.
“It is none of my concern,” muttered Harry, “what secrets they may have between themselves. I never saw either until yesterday, and may never see them again, but they have had no cause to show any suspicion toward me. I do feel drawn toward Little Rifle by an irresistible emotion. There is so much true nobility in his nature, he is so wonderfully handsome, and he has such rare mental powers that it is a sin to keep him away here in these solitudes, away from all creation. I’ll have a good talk with him on the way to the fort, and if he has got any ambition in his nature I’ll rouse it, and make him go back East with me. I will get father to adopt and educate him, and we’ll make a man of him in a few years— Helloa! here he comes, walking as if he was in a great hurry.”
Old Ruff came forward too, and taking the hand of the boy said: