"Have you got any money?"
"Plenty of it," answered Leon readily, "more than enough to foot all our—— O Frank, what do you mean?" he added, changing his tone very suddenly, as his cousin's elbow was brought against his side with considerable force.
Frank made no reply, and the hunter presently continued:
"You don't want to let anybody coax you into spending much of it for an outfit in this place, 'cause things is so dear. All you want is a hoss, saddle and bridle, and a pair of saddle-bags. In the saddle-bags you can carry a little bacon, corn-meal, salt, pepper, coffee, and sugar, too, if you want it—as I reckon you do, being tenderfeet. Anything else you want to eat you can shoot as you go along."
"When do you start for the fort?"
"To-morrow."
"Now, why won't you let us go with you? We've got money, and——"
Again Frank's elbow came in vigorous contact with his cousin's ribs.
Then it began to creep through Leon's head that perhaps he was saying too much about his wealth; so he resolved to take the hints Frank had given him, and drop the subject.
"I'll take care of you," answered the hunter. "I was a tenderfoot myself once, and would have been glad to have somebody do as much for me."