MacDonald looked thoughtful. He was silent several minutes, while none spoke, but all watched him expectantly.
“If you won’t help me try and round up Lupo, you won’t, and that’s all there is to it,” he said, finally. “Not as I blame you, neither. You got your job, to git hold of Thorwaldsson and help him. With only a handful o’ men he may be in trouble, too. Seems natural-like, if whoever is agin you fellows sent this cutthroat Lupo to cut you off, he’d likely be after Thorwaldsson, too.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” he said, “that Thorwaldsson may need our aid.”
“Just so,” continued MacDonald. “Such bein’ the case, your best plan is to try and find him soon as you can.”
“Not so fast,” said MacDonald. “You’ll give me a man, hey?”
“Give me this feller,” said MacDonald, laying a hand on Bob who sat beside him. “He’s a fighter.”
“I couldn’t do that, MacDonald. The boys must come with me.”
“All right. Only that fight he put up—that was a good one. Kind o’ wished I could have him by me. Well, then, let me have this feller. Kin see he’s used to big woods and river country. He’d make a good Mounty.”
This time MacDonald pointed the stem of his pipe at Dick.
“What do you say, Dick?” asked Mr. Hampton. “It’s up to you?”
“I’d have to go out with the Mounties to their Post, wouldn’t I? Probably have to winter there.”
Dick’s eyes shone. Middle-aged though he was, he was alone in life, loved the wilderness, and still thrilled to adventure.
MacDonald nodded approval, spat in the fire, then turned again to Mr. Hampton.
“Such being the case,” he said, “when you talk to Captain Jameson over that there contraption, just tell him I’m on my way in.”
“Sure. Think Dick and me would sit here with three no-account breeds on our hands and wait for help from four hundred miles away to arrive? No. We’ll take ’em in.”
“But two of you, alone, and with three prisoners on your hands!”
“Nothing to that. Once I brought in four single-handed. Never thought of calling for help except I had luck enough to capture Lupo and more of his gang.”
Mr. Hampton looked astounded. He turned to Dick.
“Knew you would be,” said MacDonald. “That’s settled. Now call Captain Jameson, and let’s get goin’. You want to be on your way, and we may as well be on ours.”