“I am, and in less than five minutes.”
“Wal, I’m goin’ the same way. You needn’t travel in my company unless you’re a mind to, but I’d be powerful glad to have you. I can show you the way to St. Joe anyhow, an’ as we go along I will tell you about the folks you hain’t seed fur so many years.”
Julian leaned against the smoke-house and thought over this proposition. It was a very fair one, and he could not see that he would place himself in any danger by accepting it. He was almost ready to put entire faith in his new acquaintance, and to believe everything he had told him. He wanted to believe it, and if Sanders had made his appearance a few hours before—prior to his meeting with Mr. Mortimer—Julian would have placed unlimited confidence in him. But his experience with Jack Bowles’ guest had made him timid and suspicious.
Sanders did not ask him to give himself up to his guidance and control, but seemed satisfied to wait until he was willing to do so of his free will; and Julian told himself that that was a good sign.
He at last decided that he would accept the offer of the man’s guidance as far as St. Joseph, and that when he reached that point he would decide upon his future movements. In the meantime he would watch his companion closely, and leave him at the very first sign of treachery. This determination he communicated to Sanders, who seemed to be immensely delighted by it.
“I am monstrous glad to hear you say it,” said he. “And I’ll tell you what’s a fact: If you go with me as fur as St. Joe, you will go all the rest of the way with me.”
Julian did not quite like the tone in which these words were spoken, for it made him feel that there was more in them than he could understand; and had there been light enough for him to see the expression the man’s face wore at that moment the opinion would have been confirmed.
“Whar you goin’ now?” asked Sanders, as Julian moved toward the cabin.
“Jake and Tom have some of my property in their possession,” was the reply; “a suit of clothes, a rifle and a pair of blankets. I must have them before I start.”
“‘Taint wuth while,” said Sanders. “You’ve got money; buy more.”