“Going on for four years. Why, I’ve talked to you and Squire Ned here often.”
“Yes, of course, about your experiences in the big north-west,” said Chris; “but I didn’t know it lasted so long.”
“Don’t you remember about his fight with the Indians, when they rode round his party?” asked Ned.
“Yes, I remember,” said Chris. Then thoughtfully, “You think we shall find Indians out here?”
“No, I don’t, my lad; but I feel pretty sure they’ll find us.”
“Most likely,” said the doctor, nodding his head; “but we can beat them off. You feel, then, Griggs, that we need be under no apprehension about our stores?”
“Not a bit, sir, so long as we keep within touch of the mountains. I’d almost go as far as to say that we could do better without them. We could after a time, for it will save a lot of trouble in loading up the baggage. But they won’t fail yet awhile. A man can do without tea and coffee and sugar and pepper, and without meal too when he’s obliged. We shan’t want for salt, I dessay, though the less we come across that the better. We shan’t fail over finding where that poor old chap made his map, on account of the eating and drinking. I was thinking about him in the night when I woke up to have a look round.”
“What about him?” said Chris, for the American had stopped short.
“’Bout how long he’d been living out somewhere in these parts.”
“Or some other parts,” said Wilton.