“Don’t be hasty, Perry, lad,” said the captain kindly. “There, I’m going down to the wharf; you and your father chat it over, and we’ll talk about it when I return.”
He left the room, passing out through the veranda.
“Well,” said the colonel, looking away at the window, “I think he’s right, and you had better stay, Perry.”
“I don’t think you do, father,” replied the boy. “Besides, you promised to take me.”
“Um! Yes, I did, my lad; but circumstances have altered since then. They say it’s dangerous up there among the Indians.”
“Then you had better not go, father,” said Perry quickly.
“I have undertaken to go, and I am going,” said the colonel firmly. “I gave my word.”
“And you can’t break it, father?”
“No, my boy, not honourably.”
Perry laughed softly.