“I’m no horseman.”
“I can easily overcome that difficulty.”
“How?”
“I can have you tied on the animal’s back,” was the frigid reply.
Douglas remained silent; he was too angry to speak.
“Come, now,” Bradford said coaxingly. “There’s no use in kicking against fate. You’re going with me—willingly or unwillingly. I would be your friend. Don’t force me to deal harshly with you. You hate me, I know. But I have your good at heart, and I’m your friend, in spite of appearances—in spite of all you may say or think.”
Tears were in the speaker’s eyes, and his voice was trembling. Ross looked at him wonderingly. For a half minute both were silent. Then the younger man said quietly:
“I’m ready.”
Side by side, the two dropped into the moving line and passed through the gateway.