"Mornin' to ye, boys. 'Rah for Stub!"
"H'lo, John. No walk; ride. My pony." And Stub sprang off.
"Can you ride, John?" asked John Brown.
"Sure, I'll try. At this rate I dunno whether I'm goin' or comin'. You'll all be to the mountains an' back ag'in before I ever ketch up. Hey, Stub?"
But Stub might only smile.
With many grunts and awkward movements John Sparks climbed aboard the yellow pony. It was near noon when they brought him into the camp.
Lieutenant Pike and Doctor Robinson had been hunting for the Spanish trail, again, but had not found it. There was talk of a large river, the Arkansaw, somewhere southward yet. The Americans were anxious to reach the river, which would guide them; but they had lost the trail to it.
After eating, they made another march. When the sun was low, Lieutenant Pike pointed to some trees a long way ahead and told Lieutenant Wilkinson to march the men to that place. He beckoned to Stub.
"Come with me?" he asked.
Stub nodded. He and Lieutenant Pike and Doctor the medicine-man went off by themselves, scouting up a creek. Lieutenant Pike was still looking for the Spanish trail.
