“A pack of lies!” cried Huntley.
“Take care, Colonel Crockett,” warned Davidge. “Take care. They are sharp, young as they are. They’ll lead you into trouble.”
“Well,” said Crockett, and he turned a quaint smile upon Walter and Ned, “I’ve been in trouble before now, and I guess I can take care of myself, and get out of it again, if they get me in. As to their being sharpers and telling me a pack of lies, I take leave to doubt it. But they have told me of your little scheme, Mr. Davidge,” nodding to the sharp-faced man, “and of how you crept on board this boat in secret pursuit of them. And of you, Huntley,” to the burly man, “and your hiring a bruiser to injure one of them and so prevent him from finishing his journey. And I do believe that, for it’s about the kind of thing you’d both be likely to do.”
“Sir,” cried Davidge, with dignity, “you are insulting!”
“Take care!” spoke Huntley, his face turning a deep red as he strove to control himself.
“But,” went on Crockett, “there has been no understanding between these youngsters and myself about going to San Antonio with them. That little bit of steamboat gossip, if you really heard such, is not true. However,” and the droll smile came into his face once more, and he nodded his head shrewdly, “now that the thing’s been suggested to me, it wouldn’t be a half bad idea. I’ve got lots of time on my hands, and the freedom of Texas can wait a bit longer. I will go to San Antonio de Bexer with these youngsters, and I’d like to see any man, black, white or red, lay another straw in their way!”
CHAPTER VII
SURPRISING NEWS
David Crockett, as is well known, was a man of eccentric manner and character; and eccentric people are given to whims and caprices. And it was one of these latter which gave Walter Jordan and Ned Chandler most invaluable aid.
“Do you mean it, Colonel Crockett?” asked Ned, after Huntley and Davidge had gone away, and the deck party was breaking up.
“I do,” answered the backwoodsman, in his downright way. “If I’ll not be a hindrance to you, and can help in any way, count on me.”