"Yep."
There was a little silence.
"I wish you wouldn't, Colonel."
"It's dangerous alone—not for two."
"Yes, it IS dangerous, and you know it."
"I'm goin' along, laddie." Seeing the Boy look precious grave and harassed: "What's the matter?"
"I'd hate awfully for anything to happen to you."
The Colonel laughed. "Much obliged, but it matters uncommon little if I do drop in my tracks."
"You be blowed!"
"You see I've got a pretty bad kind of a complaint, anyhow." The Boy leaned over in the firelight and scanned the Colonel's face.