"Young man," demanded the hunter, "d'ye reckon I look like anybody's fool?"
"You sure don't," nodded Raynes. "And here's something to pay you for your trouble."
The scheming corporal tried to slip a two-dollar bill into the other's hand, but the latter drew away from it.
"Take it," urged Raynes. "It's government money."
"Young man, I'm an American, and I don't have to be paid to stand by my own country! I'll do all ye say, and more, ef I git a chance, jest to see the American company wallop the make-believe Jap company."
"You'll do us a huge service if you don't fall down on the job, Pop. Why, the news will travel all the way to Japan, and the Japs will gnash their teeth over it."
"I'll put the trick through fur ye, young man—even if I have to use bear traps to ketch the two young soger boys ye told me about," promised the aged hunter earnestly.
"Say, Corporal, cut your tether, if you're going to ride with us," called the wagon boss.
"I'm coming," announced Corporal Raynes, rising. "Don't forget, Pop," he whispered back over his shoulder.
"Ye kin trust me, young man!"