“Here we is!”
The brothers strained their eyes, but in vain; for the darkness was too great for them to perceive anything. The faint neigh of a horse, however, told them that Jim was not mistaken.
“Here we stays till mornin’,” said the latter, “an’ if Mr. Buffalo finds us, he’ll have to have purty sharp eyes.”
“I think we are safe, unless we have been followed. Be careful and speak in low tones, and say only the words that are necessary. Have you got your blankets and everything with you?”
Edwin replied in the affirmative, but the negro burst into a low, hearty laugh.
“What do you s’pose I’ve done?” he asked.
Of course neither could answer his question.
“I’ve gone an’ left my gun up dere by de camp-fire.”
“Never mind, let it go,” said George, “we cannot be a great ways from home, and we can get along without it.”
“No, sah; can’t do widout dat; s’pose Mr. Bufton brings down a party ob men to-morrer mornin’, where’ll you be den?”