Although Uncle Bob tried to believe that he was sorry his nephew was gone, he did not succeed in deceiving either himself or those about him; and it was not at all improbable that an attempt at flight on his part would have resulted in something serious.
Whenever Uncle Bob allowed his mind to dwell upon this matter, he became as badly frightened as Arthur was. Dearly as he loved money, he loved life better, and he would willingly have surrendered his nephew’s millions if, by so doing he could have transported himself and Arthur back to Bolton, where he knew they would be safe.
“And must we stay here in the midst of these lawless men, who may at any moment take a notion to hang us?” exclaimed Arthur in great alarm.
“It seems to be our only chance,” confessed Uncle Bob, in agitated tones. “I have thought the matter all over, and I don’t see that we can do anything else. If we could only make these men believe that we take the matter as much to heart as they do, they wouldn’t think so hard of us; but they are very obstinate and set in their ways, and it will take time to accomplish that.”
“But, father, I can’t stay here,” insisted Arthur, jumping to his feet, and walking nervously up and down the floor. “I shall go crazy if I do—I know I shall. If you won’t go with me, give me money and let me go alone. You’ve got plenty of it. I heard one of the men say that there were twenty or thirty thousand dollars in that safe.”
“There’s more than that in there,” said Uncle Bob. “But it isn’t the money I care for. I was thinking of you. It would not be best for you to leave now.”
“I will take all the risk,” pleaded Arthur. “Don’t refuse, for if you do, there is no telling what may happen.”
“Don’t get excited over it,” advised Uncle Bob, who was anything but calm himself. “Be governed by me, and hope for the best.”
Arthur who became almost frantic whenever he thought of Sam, and the interview he had appointed for the morrow, “right away after breakfast,” said everything he could think of to induce his father to grant his request, but he urged and begged in vain.
When Uncle Bob once made up his mind to a thing, he was fully as obstinate and unreasonable as the herdsmen to whom he had referred in tones so contemptuous, and Arthur might as well have argued with the stone walls of the ranch.