"I have nobody." "Are you going to fight for Texas ?" "I count on doing so." "Then why don't you join us, and we three will turn into four ?" Will looked at Ned, and his eyes glistened.
"Do you mean that ?" he asked.
"Do I mean it?
I think I do.

Ho, there, Panther! You and Obed, just a minute or two!" The two turned back.

Ned and Will were walking at the rear of the little company.
"I've asked Will to be one of us," said Ned, "to join our band and to share our fortunes, good or bad." "Can he make all the signs, an' has he rid the goat ?" asked the Panther solemnly.
"Does he hereby swear never to tell any secret of ours to Mexican or Indian ?" asked Obed.

"Does he swear to obey all our laws and by-laws wherever he may be, and whenever he is put to the test ?" "He swears to everything," replied Ned, "and I know that he is the kind to make a trusty comrade to the death." "Then you are declared this minute a member of our company in good standin'," said the Panther to Will, "an' with this grip I give you welcome." He crushed the boy's hand in a mighty grasp that made him wince, and Obed followed with one that was almost equally severe.

But the boy did not mind the physical pain.