“What about the Indians?”
“We haven’t seen a sign of them. They’re either laying some trap for us, or they have been regularly sickened and have stolen away in the night.”
“Are you going to see?”
“Perhaps,” said the doctor; “but I’m more disposed to keep a quiet lookout, and rest. We’re quite safe here, and provisions are more plentiful than I thought for. Griggs has found the spoor of some big buck and his young does. They have straggled into the valley during the night.”
“That’s good news, father.”
“For the larder: yes. What do you say to taking up land here and making a fresh start in life?”
“Wouldn’t do, father,” said the boy, shaking his head. “Too far away from everybody.”
“Yes, it would be the life of a hermit. Ready to come out?”
“Yes, I’m going out to the water-bucket, as you advised.”
“That’s right; go. It will give you an appetite for your breakfast.”