“Why, Bob, Deerfoot and I,” replied Joseph. “I wish you were going too.”
“So do I,” exclaimed Mason. “I think I’ll see if I can arrange it.”
“Go on,” urged Robert. “Four is just the right number and we need you along with us.”
“All right,” agreed Mason. “You three go get ready to start and I’ll see what can be done. I hope I’ll be with you.”
“We do, too,” said Joseph eagerly. “We’ll see you soon.”
They hastened away and were soon busied with their preparations for the journey. This task did not take long, however, and they were soon ready to leave. They were engaged in saddling their horses when John Mason rode joyously up to the spot where they were standing.
“It’s all right, boys,” he announced. “I am going with you.”
“Fine!” exclaimed Joseph and Robert in one breath. Deerfoot even relaxed so far as to show that he too was pleased to have John Mason a member of the party.
“Do you know where your errand is at Galena?” Mason inquired of Joseph.
“We are to take some dispatches to a Colonel Strode. Do you know him?”