“That's so, but in the end we'll catch 'em. Now, Mr. Mason, you don't agree with me about many things, but you're only a boy and you'll know better later on. Anyway, I like you, and if you need help at any time and can reach me, come.”
“I'll do so, and I thank you now,” said Dick, who saw that the contractor's tone was sincere.
“That's right, good-bye. I see a senator whom I need.”
They shook hands and Watson hurried away with great lightness and agility for so large a man.
Dick stayed two days longer in Washington, visiting Warner twice a day and seeing with gladness his rapid improvement. When he was with him the last time, and told him he was going to join the Army of the Potomac, Warner said:
“Dick, old man, I haven't spoken before of the way you brought me in from that last battlefield. Pennington has told me about it—but if I didn't it was not because I wasn't grateful. Up in Vermont we're not much on words—our training I suppose, though I don't say it is the best training. It's quite sure that I'd have died if you hadn't found me.”
“Why, George, I looked for you as a matter of course. You'd have done exactly the same for me.”
“That's just it, but I didn't get the chance. Now, Dick, there's going to be another big battle before long, and I shall be up in time for it. You'll be there, too. Couldn't you get yourself shot late in the afternoon, lie on the ground, feverish and delirious until far in the night, when I'd come for you. Then I could pay you back.”
Dick laughed. He knew that at the bottom of Warner's jest lay a resolve to match the score, whenever the chance should come.
“Good-bye, George,” he said. “I'll look for you in two weeks.”