He could not miss this opportunity; he must stay with the hunter.

He looked closely at Wetzel.
"I won't go back to the village," he said.
The hunter stood in his favorite position, leaning on his long rifle, and made no response.
"I won't go," continued Joe, earnestly.

"Let me stay with you.

If at any time I hamper you, or can not keep the pace, then leave me to shift for myself; but don't make me go until I weaken.

Let me stay." Fire and fearlessness spoke in Joe's every word, and his gray eyes contracted with their peculiar steely flash.