“Oh! pshaw!” said Tommy John, laughing; “Injuns won’t hurt me. I’ve been through the mill too often to be scared.”
“Well,” said the lieutenant, “as you have been fortunate enough to get thus far safely, you had better remain at the Wells until some government train with an escort comes up.”
“That you, lieutenant? How d’e do? Much obliged. But I’m agoin’ to Snake Spring before my next stoppage. I want to get on home as soon as I can. It’s some time since I’ve seen the old lady and my half-dozen babies over on the Sandy.”
“I tell you, Tommy,” said the lieutenant, “you are very foolish to go on from the Wells alone.”
“Oh! no Injuns will trouble me, lieutenant. There’s nothing to take. The investment wouldn’t pay.”
“There’s your scalp to take,” said George, “and I shouldn’t wonder if you lost it.”
“Don’t be afeard about my scalp, George,” said Tommy John, good-humoredly. “I have a notion to go after some ha’r myself this trip.”
“Good-night!”
“Good-night, my son!”
“Gee!”