“Hit’s standing now, fur as I know.”
“Do you understand that you are taking your life in your hand?”
Darby looked at him coolly.
“And that if you take us that way and for any cause—for any cause whatsoever we fail to get through safe, we will hang you to the nearest tree?”
Darby waited as if in deep reflection.
“I understand,” he said. “I’ll guide you.”
The silence that followed seemed to extend all over the camp. The commander was reflecting and the others had their eyes fastened on Darby. As for him, he sat as unmoved as if he had been alone in the woods.
“All right,” said the leader, suddenly, “it’s a bargain: we’ll take your road. What do you want?”
“Could you gi’me a cup o’ coffee? It’s been some little time since I had anything to eat, an’ I been sort o’ sick.”
“You shall have ‘em,” said the officer, “and good pay besides, if you lead us straight; if not, a limb and a halter rein; you understand?”