“You found them handy in those days, Edna?”
“We never could have got along without them. They served to bring down a maverick, or one of our own cattle, when we were nearly starving, and sometimes they helped drive off the Indians.”
Captain Shirril shifted his position, as though uneasy over something. His wife, who was familiar with all his moods, looked inquiringly at him.
“What troubles you, Dohm?”
“If I hadn’t promised Avon that he should go with me northward, I would make him stay at home.”
Wife and nephew stared wonderingly at him.
“The Comanches have been edging down this way for more than a week past; I believe they mean to make trouble.”
It would be supposed that such an announcement as this caused dismay, but it did not. Even Dinah, who was busy about her household duties, and who heard the remark, paused only a moment to turn up her nose and say scornfully: