“Where is he now?” inquired Robert, somewhat alarmed by the prospect Walt had intimated.
“Somewhere near here, I think,” replied Walt. “He is supposed to be on the other side of Sycamore Creek with the Pottowattomies, trying to get them to join him in his war. You’d better watch your friend Deerfoot, too,” he added in a low voice.
Robert’s face flushed almost as red as his hair at this remark. “Don’t you ever dare say a thing like that again!” he exclaimed hotly. “If you do, I’ll refuse to be responsible for what happens to you.”
“And I’ll help you, Bob,” said his brother quietly. “Now look here, Walt,” he continued. “Bob and I like you very much and all that. We don’t mind your fooling, but we do mind your remarks about our friend. We told you that once before and this time we mean it.”
Walt looked in surprise at the two brothers. That they were in deadly earnest there could be no doubt. Robert was so angry that he could scarcely talk; he merely puffed and gasped with rage. His face was red and Joseph’s was white, but it was a question which one was more angry.
“Whew!” whistled Walt in astonishment at this outburst. He saw, however, that if he continued his remarks he might be subjected to physical violence and he wisely refrained from saying more. He quickly changed the subject.
“Well, we’ll be making camp in a moment,” he said lightly.
“I’m glad of it,” remarked Joseph. “My horse is tired and so am I. He hasn’t been used much lately, I guess, and is soft.” He was willing to forget the recent unpleasantness and be friends again, but Robert was not so easily pacified. His face was still flushed and he rode forward in silence. Joseph glanced at him and smiled. He admired his brother’s courage and he also knew that his anger would soon disappear. Robert was one who never let the sun go down upon his wrath, simply because he could not stay angry for that length of time.
Soon they arrived at their destination. The men quickly dismounted and after tethering their horses, they busied themselves with preparations for making camp. Meanwhile, guards were stationed all around the grove to watch for possible signs of the enemy. The men’s good spirits had now returned and they laughed and joked as they idled about or worked on their shelters for the night.