“Let’s hope he doesn’t capture us is all I can say,” exclaimed Joseph, earnestly. “He might not be as good to us as Bob would be to him.”
“I didn’t say I’d be good to him,” protested Robert.
“I’m afraid you’re a bloodthirsty young man,” remarked Mason laughingly. “Don’t you think we’d better get started on our way to Galena pretty soon?” he added, addressing his remarks to Joseph.
“I do,” agreed Joseph. “You’re not going with us, though, with your arm wounded the way it is.”
“Certainly I’m going. Why, that little scratch isn’t bad enough to need bandaging hardly.”
“All right then,” said Joseph. “Let’s be off.”
They hastened to saddle their horses and were in the midst of saying their good-byes to the brave defenders of the little fort when a great commotion arrested their attention. Shouts from the guards and the excitement of the inmates running to and fro warned them that something of great interest was taking place.
“What’s it all about, do you suppose?” exclaimed Joseph curiously.
“I don’t know,” replied Robert quickly, “but I intend to find out at once.”
He hastened to join the crowd which was rapidly gathering at one end of the fort. The gates had been opened and the people were peering eagerly out. Robert took one look and then turned and called to his companions. “Come here, quick!” he cried. “There is something worth seeing out here.”