“But if—” began Chris.
“But if anything had happened there we should want our ponies to be fresh and ready for a gallop. It would be madness to hurry them over rough ground. There, I’m sorry I spoke, lad, for I honestly believe that I have alarmed you for nothing.”
“I can’t help thinking it is not for nothing,” said Chris bitterly. “Why do you say that now? It’s only to comfort me.”
“Not quite all. I’ve been thinking. Suppose the camp has been attacked. It could not have been from this side.”
“No, because we should have seen the Indians.”
“Then it must have been from the other.”
“Of course.”
“What would the doctor do then?”
“Defend it to—the last,” said Chris, with the final words seeming to stick before they would come.
“No, he wouldn’t; he’d keep up a running fight.”