"I should like to choke you," he said fiercely.
"I've no doubt you would, Fletcher. It would be a nice amusement for you, but I'm not quite ready for the operation just yet. When I am I'll let you know."
"But for you, I would have got away," said Fletcher, in bitter disappointment.
"I guess you would. It's lucky I opened my eyes in time. There'd have been mournin' in this camp if you'd got away, Fletcher. You're wastin' yourself in the woods. You're fitted to adorn Melbourne society, and it won't be my fault if you don't arrive there."
At that moment Captain Forbush awoke.
"What's happened?" he asked anxiously.
"One of our friends was takin' French leave, that's all," said Obed. "I woke just in time to persuade him to stay a little longer."
"Ha! so Fletcher was trying to escape, was he? I am indebted to you, Mr. Stackpole, for frustrating his plan. We can't spare him at all events. I would rather lose any two of his companions."
"You see, Fletcher, how much we value your society," said Obed. "It was cruel in you to leave us."
"You're a fool!" exclaimed Fletcher, darting a look of hate at Obed.