Ned exhibited the greatest astonishment and terror, while Gus sat staring blankly before him, as if he could hardly realize what was going on. The former, George noticed, did not ask what the men intended to do with him, after they had taken him across the river. All he wanted to know, was how he and Gus were going to find their way to Brownsville without a guide.
“O now, I don’t know what to do,” cried Ned, sinking back on his blanket and covering his face with his hands.
“Be a man in the first place,” said George, who was surprised at his cousin’s want of courage. “You have nothing to cry over. Your way is perfectly plain, but if you miss it, can’t you stop at some of the ranchos along the road and ask the people to set you right? But there’s one thing I want to speak to you about. I say! You don’t care if I change clothes with him, do you?” he added, addressing the man who held him by the collar.
“What do you want to do it for?” asked that worthy.
“Because it may help him.”
“I don’t reckon it’ll do any harm, will it, Sam?” inquired the man, appealing to his companion.
Sam looked down at the horn of his saddle, and after considering the matter, said he didn’t think it would.
“All right. Let go my collar,” said George. “Why do you hang on to me in that fashion?”
“I was told to look out for you,” answered the ruffian, “an’ I’m jest goin’ to do it!”
He let go his prisoner’s collar, but he kept close beside him when the latter walked over to the place where his cousin was lying on his blanket. “You had better give me those silver buttons and all the rest of your finery,” said George, “for they are much too conspicuous for you to wear. Those ranchemen are not going to give up that horse, and they may follow you clear to Brownsville. I believe I could take you through all right; but as I can’t go with you, you will be left to depend upon yourself, and you can’t take too many precautions.”