Mary was not in evidence around the fort. Jack spent half the night
talking things over with David Cranston in the store. In the sturdy
Scotch trader he found a friend according to his need. He experienced
an abounding relief in unburdening himself to a man who merely smoked
and nodded understandingly, without making any fuss.
"You don't have to explain to me that you're no thief," Cranston said
coolly.
That was all to be said on the subject. As to the feminine element in
his difficulties, Jack was necessarily silent.
"If my sons were a year or two older," Cranston said strongly. "As it
is I am tied here hand and foot!"
Jack swore at him gratefully. "This is my fight," he said. "I
couldn't let you give up your time to it."
"I suppose you'll take some of the men out of Sir Bryson's party back
with you," said Cranston.
Jack shook his head. "Humpy Jull's all right, but he can't ride, and I
have to ride like sin. Vassall's a square head too, in his way, but
either one of them would only weaken me. They don't know the people.
They couldn't face them down. They couldn't walk into their tepees and
tell the beggars to go to hell."