“Well, not groceries, at any rate,” she ventured.
“It won’t hurt canned goods,” Smith told her, turning it stain downward. “Doctor gone back?”
“He’s gone on to Meander on some business.”
“Smart feller,” commended Smith. “If I had to have my leg took off I’d just as lief have that man do it as any doctor I ever saw.” 274
“I’m sure he would appreciate your confidence,” she smiled.
“Been acquainted with him a good while?” he wanted to know.
“Only since I’ve been in this country. We met on the train coming to Comanche.”
Smith sighed as if oppressed by a secret trouble, and cast his wise eye about the camp.
“I wouldn’t leave them things around out here at night,” he advised, indicating some boxes of supplies with which she was rather liberally provided. “Animals might git at ’em.”
“You don’t mean bears?” she asked with lively concern.