“Thar’s the no’th star—he kin keep that on his right shoulder. He cain’t miss it—the trail runs from eend to eend—onless he goes t’other way. You stay here, an’ I’ll go see what the boys say ’bout it.”
“No need of that, I will make the venture,” said Buenos, calmly.
“You—no, lad. I’d ruther go myself. It’ll be resky—no two to one a feller’ll git through. Think o’ Miss Clary,” earnestly responded Maxwell.
“I do—I have. She is lost, and every moment that we let go by but adds to the danger of our never finding her. The sooner we are free to search for her, the better her chances are. I will not lose any time, and the thought that I am working for her, will help me through.”
“He is right, Tom,” answered Calhoun. “He can do this as well as you can, and besides, he can hardly fill your place here. We need some one who is up to the dodges of the red devils, or we are lost indeed. You must stay.”
“You’re right, but I don’t like it. Still, it may be best. I’d ruther trust him then ary other one as would go, now Texas Joe is rubbed out.”
“Have you any further instructions to give?” asked Ayres, as he tightened the belt around his waist.
“No—on’y take keer o’ yourself. ’Member that the life o’ the hull pack o’ us—and mebbe that o’ Miss Clary, too—depends on your gittin’ through all hunky. It’d be too late to try a-nother one, ef you—thunder! you won’t git rubbed out! Ef you do, durned ef I don’t jest up an’ swaller every pesky red-skin out yender, alive, an’ then send Dusky Dick down a’ter, to keep ’em stirred up lively. I will so!”
“Well then, I’ll go now. I wouldn’t tell the boys how it is, till you know whether I get through safe or not.”
“Leave your rifle here—tie a ’volver on top o’ your head, so it’ll be dry an’ ready fer use, ef you should chaince to run ag’in’ any o’ the varmints. Swim cluss to the bank, whar it throws a shadder, an’ take your time ontel you git a safe distance. Then let your legs went. Don’t stop to look ef you’re goin’ to tread on ary bug or nothin’—let ’em squ’sh ef they don’t git outen the way. Onderstand?”