"There can be no doubt of that, but, if you will pardon me, Mr. Hastings, it seems to me that there is something for us to do. My solicitude for the dear ones around us, who cannot help themselves, must excuse my presumption."
"It's no presumption, sir; we are all glad to hear what you have to say."
"Accidents are liable to occur at any time, even though some of them are bogus," qualified Ashbridge, with a glance at the unconscious figure of Jim Deane a few rods away. "Boone and Kenton have placed themselves in great peril. One of them may be killed; it is impossible that both will fall. We are fortunate in having such good friends as you to stand by us, but the wisest man is he who provides, as far as he can, for every contingency. Suppose we see nothing of Boone or Kenton again?"
"I can't think such a thing as both of 'em going under at the same time can happen. One of 'em is sartin to turn up purty soon."
"But Kenton may fail to bring the canoe, upon which so much depends. Now, to come down to the point, when we halt near the gulch will our position be such that we can make a good defence against an attack?"
"I don't know," was the frank reply of the ranger; "we've only one man with us who knows all about Rattlesnake Gulch, and the ins and outs of the place."
"Who is that man?"
For reply, Hastings pointed to Jim Deane, sunk in a helpless stupor.
"Humph!" remarked the pioneer, "he is of no more account than a dead man, and won't be for some hours to come."