They said they were. No one dreamed of opposing Jack now. They hung on him like defenceless merchant-men on their man-o'-war convoy.
"Vassall, you lead the way from here," Jack went on. "You'll find the creek in a big coulee. We'll camp for the night in the bottom of it. If by any chance you should lose the trail before you get there, just climb to the highest place you see, and sit down and wait till I come along."
"But where are you going?" they demanded.
"To hunt for our supper," said Jack.
He issued two of the precious matches to Humpy to make a fire on arrival. "There ought to be berries in the coulee," he said. "Collect all you can."
Linda clung to him. "Can't I go with you?" she begged.
He shook his head. "The hunter must hunt alone."
"Don't be long. Be very careful. If we lost you we'd simply lie down and die."
"Easy!" he said uncomfortably.
Linda glanced at the others. "Why should I hide it now?" she said. "I'm proud of you. They know now why I chose a man like you, a real man."