“No, unless they are wrongly read. There are letters, and scientific notes upon the locations and distances; and maps. If the commanding general thinks we were spying out the country, he may try to keep everything. But the journal would be the greatest loss.”
And truth to say, Lieutenant Pike never did get back any of the papers in the trunk.
Freegift and John Brown were at the barracks; the other men were rambling about. John went to find them.
“To Chihuahua is it, sir?” Freegift gasped. “Without our guns?”
“You will get your guns.”
“An’ don’t we wait for the sergeant an’ them others, sir?”
“We’re not permitted. I’ll leave a note for Meek with this boy, here, telling him to keep up courage and follow us.”
“But doesn’t the lad go, too, sir?”
“No. He stays in Santa Fe.”
“I’ve found my father, Freegift,” eagerly explained Stub. “He’s here. The Utahs brought him here. I’ve got to stay with him.”