“You've got a few hours to do a little more thinkin' in, and then you look out for yourself, for it's up to you, you—,” he slammed and locked the door and went away, cursing horribly.
CHAPTER ELEVEN—THE BEAR THAT WALKED LIKE A MAN
That in this age of law and order Gideon Ward meditated any actual violence to his person Parker found it hard to believe as he sat there in the “wangan” and pondered on his situation. He could not avoid the conclusion that at heart Colonel Ward was a coward. But sometimes circumstances that a brave man will not suffer to rule him will drive a coward into crime.
It was a long and dreary day for him.
From the window he saw Colonel Ward go scurrying away on a jumper, evidently bound for the choppings.
The cook and cookee surveyed his prison at a distance. They seemed to have no desire to come into close contact with a man of whom they had heard such sinister reports.
Hackett, who hung about camp, apparently to serve as general “striker” and man of all work, brought food at noon and left it without engaging in conversation.
Parker made a dull day of it.
After the chill dusk had fallen and he had stuffed his rusty little stove with all the wood it would hold, he heard the men returning.