Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/37

 also to thoroughly shake him. “You young pup!” he upbraided. “What do you mean by trying to cut up with that Injun? Don’t you know he’s poison and would kill you as quickly as he would a mink? If you keep on with your smart Alec tricks you’ll stop growing quick some of these days.”

“I thank you very much, Mister Wilson,” humbly returned Bub.

“You’d better, but that doesn’t fill the bill. That Injun is now doubly sore on the company. If ever he gits you in the woods he’ll even up what he believes he owes you. But that ain’t the worst.” And the buyer dropped his chin and ruminated gloomily.

“Why, what worse can he do?” whispered Bub, his voice trembling as he fancied a meeting with Big Nick in the woods, where each man was a law unto himself.

“He’ll make a campaign against the company. He’ll start fires,” growled Wilson. “You young pup, it would almost be better if I’d let him smashed you. Now, get back where you belong.”

As Bub led the way to the small office he was much crestfallen. His step lagged and the light faded from his gaze.

“I’m sticking by you, Bub. Where you go