“I must go,” he declared firmly.
“But think, monsieur, eet will be veree late by ze time you get back to Fort Good Faith.”
“I’ll not go there tonight, as I just explained to you, and probably not tomorrow. I must finish my patrol.”
La Lond’s eyes blinked.
“Where do you go then?” he asked, evidently much relieved.
“That is a matter I have not yet decided,” answered Dick. “I’m not very well acquainted with the country hereabouts, and I’ve been wondering if you’ll be kind enough to direct me to the nearest dwelling.”
“Yes, certainly, monsieur, I will be veree glad.”
His sudden great eagerness to assist him did not escape Dick’s attention. He knew very well what Baptiste would say, and he had no intention of following any suggestions of the bandit as to where he should go. It was easy to guess where the wily messenger would send him—to Henderson’s camp probably, or, if not there, to the house of some other crook in the outlaw’s employ.
“I have a friend who live seex miles from here,” said La Lond. “Ze trail ees veree easy to his house. You must go zere.”
“All right, I’ll do as you say,” agreed Dick, “but first you must be very careful in directing me so that I do not get lost.”