MacDonald looked thoughtful. He was silent several minutes, while none spoke, but all watched him expectantly.
“If you won’t help me try and round up Lupo, you won’t, and that’s all there is to it,” he said, finally. “Not as I blame you, neither. You got your job, to git hold of Thorwaldsson and help him. With only a handful o’ men he may be in trouble, too. Seems natural-like, if whoever is agin you fellows sent this cutthroat Lupo to cut you off, he’d likely be after Thorwaldsson, too.”
Mr. Hampton nodded.
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” he said, “that Thorwaldsson may need our aid.”
“Just so,” continued MacDonald. “Such bein’ the case, your best plan is to try and find him soon as you can.”
“Then you agree to my plan?”
“Not so fast,” said MacDonald. “You’ll give me a man, hey?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
“Why—I——”