"Then," said Enoch, "will you take Jonas along as cook, Mack?"
"You bet!" cried Mack.
"Does that suit you, Jonas?" asked Enoch.
"No, boss, it don't suit me. I've gotta go with you. I ain't never
going to live through it, but I'll die praying."
A shout went up of laughter and expostulation, but Jonas, though grim
with terror, was entirely unmoved. Nothing, not even mortal horror of
the Colorado could break his determination never to be separated from
Enoch again. His agitation was so deep and so obvious that Enoch and
Milton finally gave in to him.
"All right!" said Milton. "A daylight start will about suit us all, I
guess. I don't think I can give you much previous instruction, Judge,
that will help you. We'll put Jonas in Harden's boat and you in mine.
You must wear your life preserver all the time that we are on the
water. When we are in the boat, do as I tell you, instantly, and
you'll soon pick up what small technique we have. It's mostly horse
sense and brute strength that we use. No two rapids are alike and the
portages are nearly all difficult beyond words."
"My Gawd!" muttered Jonas.
"You go over to the Hopi country with us," said Na-che, softly.
"I dassen't do it!" groaned Jonas.
Pages:
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269