"So would I. Ye're right, Ben!" ejaculated Butch' Hasbrouck.
"We'll put it to the vote, which side we go in for, Mose," quietly said Arnold.
Not one of us declined fighting. It was merely a question as to which side the fight was to be entered upon. A brief discussion had the result of our taking Harry's advice. The old flag, however, carried the largest number of votes. We were to strike a blow for the Union.
After we had determined upon this, the next thing which presented itself to our consideration, was the line of travel it would be best for us to take. We had a fair stock of coffee, sugar and jerked meat. This would, however, be insufficient, if we intended to cross the continent. We should have, consequently, to direct our march through a section in which game would be tolerably plentiful. My suggestion was that we should pass through the Paranagut country and the southern part of Utah, until we struck the Colorado River. From that point our line of march would be clear enough.
"Have yer ever been through that part, Mose?" asked Butch'.
"No."
"Then yer've a darned good nose for game, I will say."
"And red-skins, too," said Arnold, "if we are to believe all we hear."
"Whar thar's game, ye're sure to find the skunks," exclaimed Painter sententiously.