'Well-done, boy; this is worth all the house-breaking we have had
since we came to the swamp.' As he said these words he turned half
towards Murfrey, who, despite his jealousy, and his anger at the
remark, was, nevertheless radiant as he contemplated his share of the
booty.
'You have done bravely, and like a man. I do not think that your
loyalty will be any more called in question.' Another sidelong glance
at the glowering bully; but he uttered never a word.
'You never boast, my son, and you never bully,' the Chief went on;
'but when a delicate measure and an important one is on hand, you are
to be trusted. There is no other man in my band in which I can place
such faith.' Still another malignant glance at the ruffian with the
dogged face. But that villain was bent upon keeping his temper and
holding his tongue; and he rode along in glum silence.
'By the Eternal,' shouted the robber chief, 'if slur is ever again
put upon you, I will shoot the coward who offers it.' It did almost
seem as if the Captain were courting a quarrel with his ally. But he
really was not. In the intensity of his satisfaction his imagination
went back to all the indignities that had been put upon his son--whom
he really loved--by Murfrey; and he remembered how patiently it had
all been borne.
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