At this the guide turned again and gave the lieutenant a good looking over. It seemed to be the first time that he had taken a fair view of him. He surveyed him all over, from his boots to his head, gazed straight into his eyes for a moment, and then turned his attention to the colonel again.
“Do you think the lieutenant will do?” asked the officer.
“Oh, yes; provided a grizzly don’t get after him and tear him up,” replied the guide with indifference.
“But you must not let a grizzly do that. If you start now you can easily reach Lost River, can’t you? Very well. You may get ready, and the commissary will find the wagons and mules for you and twelve hunters. Be sure you pick out the best shots in the command.”
The commissary and the guide went out, and Parker was alone with the colonel. The officer looked into the lieutenant’s face as he took his chair again, and could not repress a smile at the expression of disappointment he saw there.
“Well, Parker, what do you think of Carl, the Trailer?” he asked.
“I think more of him than he does of me, sir,” replied the lieutenant. “He doesn’t hold me in very high estimation as a hunter.”
“Neither do I,” said the colonel.
Parker did not know what reply to make to this. He looked at the colonel, and then his gaze wandered down to the floor.
“You must do something to prove yourself a good shot and a man who can bag game every time he sees it,” continued the officer. “Do your part of the work faithfully, and I warrant he will come back with a different opinion of you.”