“Look a yer, strangers,” said he, turning his head on one side and squirting at Archie, “I want to know what brought you yer.”
“We have already told you,” answered Archie. “We expected to find some of our friends here.”
“Wal, seem’ you didn’t find ’em, hadn’t you better toddle on?”
“I don’t know. What do you think about it?”
“I reckon as how you had. Zack and Sile don’t like the idea of your hangin’ around. They say you’re here for no good.”
“They’re judging us by themselves; but we’ll go. We’ve no desire to stay where we are not wanted. Let’s get our bundles, Eugene. We can saddle our horses out here without taking them to the camp.”
“Where you going?” demanded the Pike, as the boys entered the camp, and after giving Fred a nod which he understood, began gathering up their property. “Going further?”
“Yes, we thought we would ride on,” replied Archie. “We can make a mile or two before dark, and that will take us just that much nearer the Fort.”
“I hate to have you go, ’cause we might travel in company in the morning. If you happen around this way agin, drop in,” said the Pike, repeating the stereotyped invitation he had often extended to his neighbors at home.
“Thank you,” said Fred. “We are indebted to you and your good lady for your hospitality, and hope we shall have a chance to reciprocate.”