“No, lad, but if I had my choice I’d go westward. I’ve heard fine stories of California. I think I should like to see that land.”
“Why don’t you go?”
“Stop a minute! Let me think!”
The hunter assumed a thoughtful look. He remained silent for five minutes. Then he said, as if to himself: “Why not?”
Ernest still kept silence, but his eyes were fixed upon the face of the hunter.
Finally Luke looked up.
“How do you want to go, lad?” he asked. “Do you want to go over the railroad, or are you in for a tramp over the mountains and plains?”
“That depends on whether I am to go alone or not. If I go alone I shall prefer to go by rail.”
“Are you in for a long tramp with me?” asked Luke, his face glowing with new-born enthusiasm.
“I will go anywhere with you, Luke.”