A RECRUIT JOINS THE RANGERS
Harshaw did not, during the first forty-eight hours after leaving Bear Cat, make contact with either the Indians or the militia. He moved warily, throwing out scouts as his party advanced. At night he posted sentries carefully to guard against a surprise attack. It was not the habit of the tribes to assault in the darkness, but he was taking no chances. It would be easy to fall into an ambush, but he had no intention of letting the rangers become the victims of carelessness.
At the mouth of Wolf Creek a recruit joined the company. He rode up after camp had been made for the night.
“Jake Houck,” Bob whispered to Dud.
“Who’s boss of this outfit?” the big man demanded of Blister after he had swung from the saddle.
“Harshaw. You’ll find him over there with the cavvy.”
Houck straddled across to the remuda.
“Lookin’ for men to fight the Utes?” he asked brusquely of the owner of the Slash Lazy D brand.
“Yes, sir.”
“If you mean business an’ ain’t bully-pussin’ I’ll take a hand,” the Brown’s Park man said, and both voice and manner were offensive.