"I will confess that I have, sir."
The Ranger captain did not say where he was going. But shortly after that he rode out of camp and was seen no more until late that evening. After the departure of McKay the professor cleared his throat and stroked his damaged whiskers.
"I trust you young men will try to keep out of trouble to-day. I am sorry to say that you are becoming rather too venturesome. Be good enough to keep in mind that we are in what appears to be a hostile country."
"It strikes me that Chunky is more hostile, more to be feared, than anything else about here," chuckled Tad.
"I agree with you, and for that reason I am going to place Stacy under your charge for the day, Tad."
"Oh, what a responsibility!" mocked Butler.
"I'm glad it isn't up to me," declared Ned.
"You will look after Walter."
"I don't need any looking after," protested Perkins.
"That's why he's put you in charge of Ned," scoffed Stacy.