“I do not,” I said, “and I should like for you to go the way best suited for yourself. But surely you could find that way, and reach Fort Elk.”
“I am disposed to risk it, and yet we should be turning away from our supplies.”
“Yes,” I said, for he looked at me questioningly; “I feel quite in despair sometimes about getting along this terrible way, but I think we ought to keep to it, for those people said we should find little settlements all the way along.”
“Yes; and we might find ourselves in a queer position without food unless we could get a guide, so forward’s the word.”
He nodded to me and went off to the Indian camp to make the people a present before we started, and as soon as I was alone, Esau hurried up.
“Has he been saying anything against me?”
“No, of course not, you suspicious fellow,” I cried. “There, come along and pack up. We start directly. I say, Esau, you don’t want to go back now?”
He turned sharply, and glanced at the beginning of the dark canon, and then said angrily—
“Needn’t jump on a fellow because he didn’t get along so well as you did. Here you, Quong, we’re going on.”
“Velly nea leady,” came back cheerily.