The major shrugged his shoulders.
"Look at it as you like, my man," he replied. "If you are with us it won't be hard, and if you are against us, well you can take your choice."
Yes, that was just it. They had planned as nice a trap for the two boys as could be invented. Tom felt tempted to blow out the major's brains where he stood and take their chances in the woods. But the odds were too great even for his daring spirit, and the Indian would be still in the same position as he was now in.
"We must give that matter a little thought," said Tom, finally. "Even in our position as members of this troop, we need to get accustomed to our task, and if we may talk it over for a few minutes we may be able to reconcile ourselves to our disagreeable duty."
"You haven't much time," said the major, shortly. "We may come to our selected place any minute, now, so be quick, and you had better turn over your guns to the corporal in the meantime. After you have proven yourselves worthy you can have them back, and we will admit you in full standing to the troop."
As they turned away there was a sneer on the face of the young southerner, and Tom felt doubly anxious to beat out their enemies on that account, for he had grown to cordially dislike the young civilian.
"Sure, an' we seem to be up against it, intirely," said Tim, gloomily. "We can't hang the poor divil of an Injin, an' if we don't there'll be no more of the likes of us around much longer, whatever."
"We have got to figure some way out of this," Tom said, firmly. "Have you any weapons about you?"
"Weapons is it?" asked Tim. "If ye can call this foldin' knife a weapon, ye'll be doin' well."
"It may be better than nothing," said Tom. "Try to keep it, anyhow, and don't let anyone see it again."