“Nothing like that doing,” replied the fat boy. “I should think you would prefer to remain here, in view of the fact that you have a sore mouth,” urged Miss Briggs. “That climb is going to be regular hard work, you know.”
“I won’t stay, and that’s flat,” retorted Stacy. “If you folks go, I go.”
“If you wished him to remain in camp you should have insisted on his accompanying us,” spoke up Emma.
“Yes, that’s so,” agreed Hippy. “Stacy, you know what you are?”
“Sure I do. I am the brains of the Overland outfit and the leading sunshine dispenser.”
“You mean trouble dispenser,” suggested Tom laughingly.
“Not only that, Stacy, but you are as contrary as a government mule,” added Lieutenant Win—
“That’s right. Call me names, but don’t get the idea that you can cheat me out of any real fun that comes along on this dull trip,” retorted young Brown. “I know what you want. You want me to stay here and fight bears trying to steal food—you want me to fight them with a sealed rifle. Of course I could do it if I wished, but I don’t wish. What’s the matter with Jim Badger?”
“I’ll stay,” offered the guide.
“You will have to carry a heavy pack on your back, Stacy, if you go,” reminded Grace teasingly.