JULIE BRINGS DISTURBING NEWS
"Is that right, Loot'nant?" demanded the mountaineer, leaning forward and peering searchingly at his informant.
"It is my information."
"Whar you hear it?"
"I overheard it one night. Another thing. That friend of yours, Lum Bangs, I should not trust too far were I in your place. Mind you, I don't speak with any knowledge that he isn't your friend, but I should advise you to keep your eyes on him."
"Ah reckons you-all ain't such a fool as ye look," grunted Jed Thompson, turning abruptly and striding away.
"Whew! That was a blow below the belt," muttered Hippy. "I am glad that Emma Dean didn't hear that."
Lieutenant Wingate heard Thompson getting his horse from the barn, and, a moment or so later, saw him riding away, rifle thrust in the saddle boot. Jed did not return until late that night, after all were asleep. The doctor had decided to remain all night with his patients, so Elfreda and Grace made up their beds in the barn for a much-needed night's rest.
Before they were awake next morning, the mountaineer had again ridden away, and soon after breakfast the girls began work on their equipment, patching up the tents and sewing the blankets that had been cut. The doctor reported that Lizzie and Sue were considerably improved, and decided that, if their improvement continued, he would return to Holcomb that afternoon.
This he did, leaving medicine and explicit directions after extracting a promise from the Overlanders to remain with the patients until he came up later in the week.