“An Injun named Black Eagle,” said the landlord.
Neither boy made any move to join in the conversation and the tavern-keeper took another tack.
“Most forgot how to be polite,” he said. “I don’t rec’lect your names, young men, but make you acquainted with Mr. Samuel Duff and Mr. Lon Dexter, travelers same as you be. My name’s Quilling, ye know that.”
It was to the name Samuel Duff that the villainous looking man answered. His better appearing companion arose as the name Lon Dexter was pronounced.
“My name is Kingdom,” said the older of the two boys, rising to shake hands as the men came forward.
“And mine is Jerome,” said the more slender lad, with none too much friendship in his tones.
“Going West, I take it,” said Duff, trying to speak pleasantly.
“Yes,” said the young man named Kingdom, as both boys reseated themselves and went on with their supper.
“So are we,” he of the evil appearance continued—“Dexter and I.”
“It is a great country—the Ohio country, I mean,” said Kingdom, his keen, dark eyes scrutinizing the fellow who had seemed to suggest that they might travel together, while he mentally decided that he would like no such arrangement.