“It seems to me,” said Walter Jordan, “that we couldn’t have had a worse time to carry out our errand to Texas than just now. The closer we get to it, the more war-like things are.”
Ned Chandler looked at his friend in surprise.
“What, Walter,” said he, “you’re not holding back because things are not all quiet and orderly, are you?”
Walter smiled.
“I’m headed for Texas, and going as fast as this boat will take me,” said he. “And I mean to keep on going until I get there and do what we set out to do.”
Ned laughed in a pleased sort of way. There was a light of adventure in his eyes.
“Why do you object to the coming war with the Mexicans, then?” said he. “That will make only the more fun on our trip south.”
“But fun is not what we’ve come for,” said Walter. “We’ve got a purpose in view, and until that’s accomplished, we must think of nothing else.”
Ned grew more sober.
“Right you are,” said he. “Not a thing must enter our minds but the one thing, until it’s done. But after that,” and his eyes began to dance once more, “we can take time to look around us a bit, can’t we?”