Obviously the fellow had a soft side to him.
The fact is that he had taken a fancy to Thurstane since he had learned his fighting qualities, and would rather have done him a favor than murder him.

At all events his hatred to "Injuns" was such that he wanted the lieutenant to kill a great many of them before his own turn came.
"So you think we'll have a tough job of it ?" inferred Ralph.
"Cap, we ain't so many as we was.

An' if Manga Colorada comes up, thar'll be a pile of red-skins.

It may be they'll outlast us; an' so I say as a friend, save one shot; save it for yourself, Cap." But the Apaches did not advance.

They watched the train steadily; they held a long consultation which evidently referred to it; at last they seemed to decide that it was in too good order to fall an easy prey; there was some wild capering along its flanks, at a safe distance; and then, little by little, the gang resettled in its bivouac.