“Don’t be an idiot. She does not care a hoot of a horned owl for me, in that way, I mean. You are free to make old Sleeman your father-in-law, for all I care,” said Paul with a grin. “But she is a fine girl, all the same, mighty good sport.”
“Hold! No need for trumpets on that motif. Through all the corridors of my soul they are sounding her praises. But you—you! Honor bright now! Are you out of it? Once and for all. Your hand on it, old man, I mean it,” said Dalton, pulling up horse and reaching out his hand to Paul.
“Honor bright! Go in and win your father-in-law, for all I care,” said Paul.
“Oh, darn the father-in-law!” said Dalton, with a grimace. “But thank the Lord you don’t marry your father-in-law. All right. She may turn me down. Doubtless will on my first attempt. But hear my solemn vow—well, never mind. Now for plan of campaign. Tomorrow we approach the old villain. But stay! He must have some redeeming qualities to be the father of a girl, a goddess, by Jove! like that. I shall set myself to discover them. Never fear! I am still your lawyer and shall handle your case with all fidelity and zeal, but with the soft pedal, my boy, the soft pedal. I shall smile and smile and make him think I am saving him from the clutches of stern retributive justice. Those I O U’s, for instance, according to your father’s record, have obviously been met. It will be mine to suggest that by some slight aberration of memory that fact has escaped him. He will fall on my neck with gratitude. Jove! I’m surrendering a lot of fun, but she’s worth it. Must recast my brief, eh?”
“Well, that’s your job, and good luck with the girl, Dalton. Here we are at Pine Croft. A lonely place, old man, but such as it is you are welcome. Here is Tom. Hello, Tom! All fit?”
“Good! Good!” grunted Tom, running toward Paul and grasping his hand. “Little chief come again!”
“Tom is one of my father’s old friends, Dalton. Taught me all I know about the woods and things in them. Tom, my friend, Mr. Dalton.”
“Huh! Good! Good man!” said Tom, giving Dalton a keen look and offering his hand.
“You are all right, Dalton. Tom is careful with his friendship.”
“Mighty glad to have Tom for a friend,” said Dalton, shaking the old Indian’s hand warmly.