"Gentlemen," he said after a time, "you don't know what you are asking of me. It would be painful for me to take that work on now."
"It's painful for us to see our property lost and our families set afoot," rejoined Caleb Price. "It's not pleasant for me to do this. But it's no question, Major Banion, what you or I find painful or pleasant. The question is on the women and children. You know that very well."
"I do know it--yes. But you have other men. Where's Woodhull?"
"We don't know. We think the Pawnees got him among the others."
"Jackson"--Banion turned to his companion--"we've got to make a look-around for him. He's probably across the river somewhere."
"Like enough," rejoined the scout. "But the first thing is for all us folks to git acrost the river too. Let him go to hell."
"We want you, Major," said Hall quietly, and even Kelsey nodded.
"What shall I do, Jackson?" demanded Banion.
[pg 121]