“Useful sort of fellow, that,” said the stranger, nodding at Quong as he ran on before us. “Good cook, I suppose?”
“Excellent,” replied Gunson. “You had better stop and have a bit of dinner with us. He’ll have a steak ready in a few minutes.”
“With all my heart. Mike, you have some cake in your wallet.”
“Yes, sir,” said the man respectfully; and I saw Gunson’s one eye turn to him sharply.
“We can easily walk to the Fort in an hour afterwards,” said the stranger.
“And do you live near?” I said, eagerly.
“Yes, very near,” he replied, smiling.
“It’s very lucky we met you,” I said, “for we had no idea how far we were off. Here, hi! Esau!” I shouted, as soon as we were within earshot, for he was coming towards us now in a slow, hesitating way. “This is my companion who has come with me.”
“Friend or brother?”
“Friend,” I said; and I was going to say more, but I caught Gunson’s eye, and it seemed to suggest that I was talking too fast.