"Sixteen."
"I should think you were sixty by the tone you assume," said Fletcher with a sneer.
"Do I understand, Mr. Fletcher," asked Harry steadily, "that you claim to control our party?"
"Seeing that I am more than twice as old as you are, I am the natural head of the expedition."
"I cannot admit any such claim. If you are not satisfied to be simply a member of the party, like the rest of us, I shall not be offended if you back out even now."
This, however, did not suit Fletcher, and with a forced laugh he answered, "You are a strange boy, Vane. I suppose it's the way with your countrymen. I don't want to back out, as you term it. I fancy we shall get along together."
"I wish he had decided to leave us," said Harry when the two boys were alone. "Somehow I distrust him."
"I don't like him myself," said Jack, "but I don't see what harm he can do us."
"Nor I, but I feel safer with this Yankee addition to our party."
About ten o'clock the next morning the little party got off. It is needless to say that Obed Stackpole contributed his full share of expense, and more too, for he furnished the yoke of oxen that were to draw the cart which conveyed their provisions and other outfit.