“If you had been as near to him in that fight the other day as I was,” Robert continued, “you’d have thought he was a demon all right.”
“We’re glad he’s on our side, I guess,” remarked Joseph earnestly.
“We certainly are,” echoed Robert. “How many men did you lose in that fight on the Pekatonika?” he asked, turning to Mason once more.
“Three men killed and one wounded. That wasn’t so bad considering what we did to the Indians, was it?”
“I should say not,” exclaimed Robert.
At that moment a messenger came up to the place where they were seated and handed a note to Joseph. The young volunteer tore it open at once and eagerly scanned the contents, while the others watched him with deep interest.
CHAPTER XXII
APPLE RIVER FORT
“We leave for Galena at once,” announced Joseph when he had finished reading his communication.
“Good!” exclaimed Robert, immediately jumping to his feet. “At last we are going to do something.”
“Who is ordered to go?” asked Mason.