“We may be risking our lives by going to Keechewan now,” he said. “Do you realize that, Dr. Brady?”
“Yes, I realize it.”
“I sometimes wonder,” Dick evaded the other’s eyes. “—I sometimes wonder if it is all worth while. Most of them are only Indians. They not only do not appreciate what we’re doing for them, but more than that, they resent and scorn our help. Why not,” Dick’s gaze was fixed on some object on the distant horizon, “leave them to their own devices, let them suffer the consequences?”
If Dick had struck Brady in the face, the good doctor could not have been more surprised. For a moment he actually sputtered.
“Richard Kent! Do you mean that? Do you really mean to say that you contemplate such a thing—would leave those poor devils in the lurch?”
Dick raised one hand and grinned mischievously.
“There, there, doctor! Such a thought hadn’t entered my mind, I assure you.”
“You rascal! So you were trying me out?”
Dick laughed as he turned the dogs loose And straightened up to take Brady’s arm.
“Well, what do you propose to do?”