“Over there,” replied Walt, pointing to a man who was standing in the midst of a group of soldiers.
“I’m with you, Bob,” exclaimed Joseph, and he, too, started forward.
“Me go,” said Deerfoot quickly and he followed Joseph.
“It looks as though I’d have to go or be left alone,” laughed Mason. “How about you, Walt?”
“I’ve already volunteered and been accepted.”
Before many minutes had elapsed John Mason, Deerfoot, and the two young brothers had also been accepted as members of the party. The little band soon sallied forth from the blockhouse and started across the prairie. Joseph noticed that among the twenty-five men who had volunteered there was a large proportion of officers. He called Walt’s attention to this fact.
“I noticed it, too,” said Walt. “I don’t think it is right, either.”
“Nor I,” exclaimed Joseph. “Major Dement isn’t with us but there are mighty few officers left in the fort. I’m afraid that if anything serious happens, there may be trouble. The men aren’t well drilled, and, without enough officers, I’m afraid they may become disorganized if they are left back there practically to themselves.”
“Let’s hope not,” said Walt earnestly. “The militia has acquired a pretty bad reputation so far, but these men look like better fighters than the ones Major Stillman had at Sycamore Creek.”
“They couldn’t be worse any way,” exclaimed Joseph disgustedly.