"Well, Vose," said the young man, "this is unexpected."
"So I jedge and I've a 'spicion that you ain't tickled half to death to see me."
"We were always friends, but I can't say that either Nellie or I am glad to meet you under the circumstances; for in truth, we have been doing all we could to prevent such a meeting."
"Things has that look," added Vose, standing on guard as may be said, for he was not free from misgiving concerning the young lieutenant whom he had managed to run down. His positive orders forbade him to assume the aggressive, but no one could forbid him to defend himself, and he did not mean that this handsome officer should catch him unprepared.
"The captain, Wade Ruggles and the parson."
"What we suspected; I presume no one of the three feels specially affectionate toward me."
"It is all the captain can do to prevent the other two from quarrelin' as to which shall have the first chance to shoot you."
"'Cause he means to have the first chance himself."
"How about _you_?" grimly asked Lieutenant Russell.
"A low down trick was played onto me; as near as I can find out, the captain comes first, Wade and the parson next and me fourth. You can see for yourself that there won't be any chance at all left for me after them three is through."
"It doesn't look so,--that's a fact. But where are the three?"
"Along the main trail, down in the kenyon."
"I advised 'em to wait till I found out how the land laid and they won't leave the spot till I get back."
Lieutenant Russell gave no expression to the thought that flashed upon him. Why not keep Vose Adams a prisoner? The loss of his services to the party would be irreparable, for, as it was, the present hiding place of the fugitives never would have become known to them without the help of the guide. It was a daring scheme, but there were so many objections to carrying it out, that the officer dismissed it. In truth he thought of a much better plan.
"You have told me enough, Vose, to prove that the four men--for I may as well include yourself--feel bitterer toward me than I suspected: do you think this enmity of theirs will last?"
Lieutenant Russell could not restrain a smile at this way of putting it, while Nellie was so horrified that she gasped and stared and listened in silence.