“Her consent,” repeated Swipes with the greatest amazement. “Why—why she’ll be crazy at the chance? You won’t be able to hold her, when she knows what a grand opening it will be for her.”
Fred Wainwright shook his head.
“Begin modestly, Mr. Swipes; begin modestly; establish your school, get it in thorough operation, and then look about you for a female assistant. Why not send for your Araminta?”
“Well, you see, she isn’t quite so pretty as this Miss Brandon, and I’ve thought of having Miss Brandon’s likeness published and distributed with the circulars. I think it would help. I will mention the matter to her the first chance.”
“Take my advice and don’t do it; it will do no good.”
“You speak as if you knowed her.”
“I—I know how any modest woman would act under such circumstances.”
The conversation was interrupted at this point by the stoppage of the emigrant train, near a small stream of water, and it was observed that Lancaster was talking quite earnestly with the male members who were gathered around him. Riding forward the young hunter and Yankee heard him.
“I don’t want to scare you but there’s a good sized war party of Apaches in the hills yonder and they’n been following us all the afternoon, and we’ll see more of ’em pretty soon.”