“There is a horrible side to it, Griggs.”
“Would be if we let them get the better of us, sir.”
“You mean the shutting up the enemy here to starve?” said Bourne.
“Tchah!” ejaculated Griggs, so sharply that the boys started. “Serve ’em right if they did, sir. What business have they to want our scalps? But we shouldn’t shut them up to starve. They’d have weeks of work before they could get their horses out but without horses they’d be out in a week. Starve? Nonsense! They’d have the water; they can make fires, and cook their horses. It takes a deal to starve a redskin. But there, I don’t want to make speeches. It’s all settled, gentlemen. But you’ve got to tell the lookout what’s coming off.”
“I’m going up to have a few words there at once,” said the doctor. “Now, every one understands that he is to be ready, without showing any watchful Indian scout that there is something on the way.”
No one spoke, but the looks directed at the doctor gave answers enough, and the afternoon was spent in preparation for what all felt might prove the most momentous adventure of their lives.