Arnold and said:
"Sir, I see Chiquita grazing near the spring, close to the edge of the
willows, and the two Indians there with the herd keep well this way,
watching the fight. If you think best, I will creep through the
passage, mount, and ride to the fort for the soldiers."
Mr. Arnold did not at once reply. He took a long look through a
loop-hole towards the spring, and Henry, misinterpreting his silence,
said:
"Don't think I want to desert you, sir, and skip the ranch. I'll stay
here and do my best with the others, but I thought, perhaps, if I
could do it, I might save you all."
"God bless ye, my boy; nobody can doubt yer fightin' 'bility; yer was
born a soldier. I was only thinkin' yer chance uv gittin' by them two
redskins at the spring's mighty small."
"Then you think it a good plan?"
"Yes; I'd like to have ye do it, if ye can."
"Thank you, sir. I'll do my best."
Then the lad passed around the rooms, taking the hand of each defender
in farewell until he reached Brenda. As he took her hand in his right
and fondly lay his left upon it, the young girl broke into
uncontrollable sobbing, and, throwing her disengaged arm over his
shoulder, said:
"Oh, Henry! what a dear, brave boy you are! You never think of
yourself, but always of your friends!"
"I will bring the soldiers, Brenda, and you shall all be saved.
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