CHAPTER XII

TREED BY WOLVES

HARLIE and Stanislas were that evening sitting apart
from the rest at a short distance from the fire talking
over the future. ‘They agreed that it would be compara-
tively easy to withdraw from the band as they journeyed
forward, if, as seemed likely, they travelled in very small
parties. If indeed they found themselves with two others
they could leave openly, for these would scarcely care to
enter upon a desperate struggle merely for the sake of
retaining two unwilling companions in the band. The
difficulties would only begin when they started alone. As
they were talking the captain came across to them.

“I can guess,” he said, “that you are talking together as
to the future. I like you, young Englishman, and I like
your companion, who seems an honest fellow, but I would
not keep you with me by force. I understand that you are
not placed as we are. We have to live. Most of us would
live honestly if we could, but at present it is the choice of
doing as we do or starving. We occasionally take a few
crowns if we come across a fat trader, or may ease a rich
farmer of his hoard, but it is but seldom such a chance
comes in our way. As a rule we simply plunder because
we must live. It is different with you. Your friends may

be far away, but if you can get to them you would have all
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