"You went before, Pard Harding, so why refuse this time, when you know it is our duty to report, as agreed, to Buffalo Bill the attacks of the road-agents upon the coaches, that he may place the matter before the commandant?" said Doctor Dick, who was anxious to have the mysterious disappearance of old Huckleberry known.
"I went before, Doctor Dick, but I do not care to go again," was Harding's firm rejoinder.
"Do you fear to go?" asked Landlord Larry, with a smile.
"If you think that I am influenced by fear I will prove to the contrary," was the quiet rejoinder.
"By going?"
"No."
"How then?"
"Have you a driver to take the coach out to W—— on its next run, landlord?"
"No, unless Doctor Dick will kindly do so."
"I cannot," was the quick response of the doctor.