human
I _never_ had a cold, replied Dick, becoming quiet again;
gpt
True, rejoined March;
human
Know of it--ay, that do I.
gpt
Why, how did you happen to hear of it?
human
It's wonderful, lad, how I comes to know about things in this part o' the country. I know everything the Wild Man does. He can't move without my bein' on his track d'rectly. In fact, I follers him like his shadow--leastwise, his shadow follers me.
gpt
Indeed, exclaimed March, whose interest in Dick became suddenly tenfold more deep on learning this.
human
But why do you follow him about in this fashion? Does he like your company, or do you only follow him on the sly, and keep out of sight? Explain yourself, Dick--you puzzle me.
gpt
I can't explain just now, lad, said Dick, rising abruptly.
human
You forget that your comrades may be in a fix before now wi' them blackguard redskins. I must go an' help them. It's but right that white men should lend one another a helpin' hand in these regions, where the Injuns have it almost all their own way.
gpt
But the Mountain Fort is far away from this, an' I'm afraid you'll never be able to get there in time,
human
I'll try, returned Dick.
gpt
Anyhow, I'll send the Wild Man o' the West to help them, he added with a peculiar smile.
human
Now, boy, listen, I must not waste more time in idle talk. I shall leave you here under the charge of my little girl--
gpt
Your little girl!
human
Ay, she ought to have been in before now, continued Dick, without noticing the interruption,