"Not if you don't want me to."
"Then I'm going out West," said the boy, nodding impressively.
"You are! Have you got friends there?"
"No, I'm going in for a little excitement. I'm going out West to hunt Indians!" and the speaker eyed Dean to see how he was impressed by the declaration.
"But what good is that going to do you?" asked Dean, perplexed.
"Oh, there'll be no end of excitement. It'll show what I am made of. I shouldn't wonder if some writer would make a story out of my adventures."
"But suppose the Indians should hunt you?" suggested Dean.
"I must take my chance of that," answered the boy loftily. "If there wasn't any risk, there wouldn't be any excitement or glory."
"Are your folks willing you should go?" queried Dean.
"No; they don't know where I am. I left home on the sly."