"And a mile is just about our limit"
"Just about—your's," replied Billy. "I can't make another half. If we had a fire—"
"IF—" wheezed Brokaw.
"If we had a fire," continued Billy. "We could warm ourselves, an' make the Indian's shack easy, couldn't we?"
Brokaw did not answer. He had turned toward the creek when one of Billy's pulseless hands fell heavily on his arm.
"Look here, Brokaw."
Brokaw turned. They looked into each other's eyes.
"I guess mebby you're a man, Brokaw," said Billy quietly. "You've done what you thought was your duty. You've kept your word to th' law, an' I believe you'll keep your word with me. If I say the word that'll save us now will you go back to headquarters an' report me dead?" For a full half minute their eyes did not waver.
Then Brokaw said:
"No."