How far did you fall this time?”

“Not far. I landed in a tree, where my instrument stuck. But I crashed down, and got a hard knock on the head. When Red joined me, I was unconscious and sliding for another precipice.”

“That Texan seems attached to you.”

“Well, if he wasn’t before, he will be now, for I’ll make him attached,” said Neale feelingly. “I’ll tell you, General, King’s red-headed, a droll lazy Southerner, and he’s made fun of by the men. But they don’t understand him. They certainly can’t see how dangerous he is. Only I don’t mean that. I do mean . . . he’s true.”

“Yes, he showed that. When the rope snapped, I was sure he’d pull a gun on us . . . Neale, I would have liked to have you and Larry Red King with me through the war.”

“Thank you, General Lodge . . . But I like the prospects now.”

“Neale, you’re hungry for wild life?”

“Yes,” replied Neale simply.

“I said as much. I felt . . . somewhat of that when I was your age . . . And you like our prospects? Well, you’ve thought things out. Neale, the building of the U.P. will be hell.”

“General, I can see that. It sort of draws me . .