“What do you suppose his idea is?” Robert asked of his brother. He always had the feeling that Joseph would know the reason for almost anything. He had a great amount of confidence in his level-headed older brother.
“I don’t know,” said Joseph doubtfully. “Perhaps he thinks that the smaller the band the less chance there is of discovery. If we split in two we may throw the Indians off the trail.”
“That’s true,” agreed Robert. “I suppose that was Walt’s idea, too.”
“How many of us are there anyway?” asked Joseph. “We started out with ten. Have we lost any men?”
“We certainly have. There are only six left now.”
“What!” exclaimed Joseph. “You mean to say that four men were killed?”
“Indeed they were,” said Robert sadly. “There are four men back there in those woods who’ll never do any more Indian fighting.”
“How about John Mason?” demanded Joseph. “Don’t tell me he was killed.”
“He was all right a few moments ago.”
“I hope nothing happens to him,” said Joseph earnestly. “He’s too fine a man to lose.”