“Yes,” said he to himself, “I should go now. After what I have said to her I cannot stay here and live this life before her. I would wait on her with bended knee at every step, but with love for her in my soul I cannot wash dishes for other people. I have spoken, and now I must act; and the quicker the better. If all goes well I may be here again, but I shall not come back as a guide.” Then a thought of Raybold crossed his mind, but he put it aside. Even if he stayed here he could not protect her, for she had shown that she did not wish him to do it in the only way he could do it, and he felt sure, too, that any further annoyance would result in an appeal to Mr. Archibald.
“Well,” said Matlack, sharply, “what’s the matter with you? Don’t you intend to move?”
“Yes,” said Martin, turning quickly, “I do intend to move. I am going to leave this camp just as soon as I can pack my things.”
“And where in the name of thunder are you goin’ to?”
“I’m going to Sadler’s,” said Martin.
“What for?”
“On my own business,” was the reply.
Matlack looked at him for a moment suspiciously. “Have you got any complaints to make of me?” he said.
“No,” said Martin, promptly, “not one; but I have affairs on hand which will take me off immediately.”