“He is great help to us. I don’t know what we could do without him. He can do more work in a day than I can in a week, and he has got to be a good shot, too. We must arrange that, however, so that you can do the hunting for food, while we do the hunting for gold.”
“I am ready to begin at any time, and have wondered why you haven’t set me at work before,” said Edwin, with great animation, at the prospect of a day’s ramble through the woods.
“It is with some misgiving, as it is, that I consent to this step. Remember you are very young, Edwin, and there is a great deal of danger for an old hunter in this part of the country.”
“Not if he is careful, and you know I would be careful. I shall always keep a sharp look out for grizzly bears.”
“They are dangerous enough, but not so dangerous as the red men.”
“But don’t you think they are easily scared?”
“That may all be, and yet, it isn’t to be supposed that they would be much frightened at the sight of a youngster tramping through the woods with a gun on his shoulder.”
“I will not wander off beyond call.”
“You must remember that; for if you get lost, I don’t know how you would ever find your way back again.”
“I should follow up the stream.”