"Well, boy," I said, "if you will come, I shall be glad of your company; so come along."
I had noticed lately that Dick never let me go far alone, but would always be with me. It gave rise to no suspicion in my mind. He had been tried too often for that. But still, I thought it strange.
On this occasion, we had not ridden far before he asked me a question which rather surprised me. He said,—
"Mr. Hamlyn; do you carry pistols?"
"Why, Dick, boy?" I said, "why should I?"
"Look you here, Mr. Hamlyn," said he. "Have you tried me?"
"I have tried you for twenty years, Dick, and have not found you wanting."
"Ah!" said he, "that's good hearing. You're a magistrate, sir, though only just made. But you know that coves like me, that have been in trouble, get hold of information which you beaks can't. And I tell you, sir, there's bad times coming for this country side. You carry your pistols, sir, and, what's more, YOU USE 'EM. See here."
He opened his shirt, and showed me a long sharp knife inside.
"That's what I carries, sir, in these times, and you ought to carry ditto, and a brace of barkers besides. We shan't get back to the Captain's to-night."