Part 10 (1/2)
”But it didn't take 'e either to say what should be done with Max He an' Mejia an'
Miramon were took out on a hill near the ruins of an old stone fort an'
shot I didn't see it, 'cause I was under guard with Fletcher an' the rest; but I heared so was done Max he says to Miramon, 'The bravest man should have the post of honor;' so he puts Miramon in the middle, an' Max he stood on the left It was a er, drawing his hand nervously across his forehead, ”an' I ae, seein' as how you belong to the ar You remember them two Greasers who shot that cowboy down to Rio Grande City, an' was put in jail for it, don't you? Well, they belong to our gang, an' Fletcher an' the rest are getting ready to go down there an' take 'e officer at Eagle Pass and tell hie promptly ”Then come up to Fort La for Fletcher when he co I had oughter tell you, Mr George,”
continued Springer, sinking his voice almost to a whisper ”I come over here as a sort of spy, like I ahts, an' all that, you know--an' then I ao down to Rio City, take a look about the jail, see howelse that is worth knowin', an' after that I alad you didn't say so while e
”I was just a trifle too sharp for that,” said Springer, shaking his head and looking very wise ”I don't want to make theoing back to Fletcher with any news, are you? You told er earnestly, ”I ain't agoin' to take no news acrost the river that will do anybody there any good I ain't forgot that you helped rub an' water, and I ain't likely to forget it, nuther I did say I had quit theood, an' when I said it I ht here under your nose, that I couldn't stay here without nobody to back o back till you coain”
”If you will stay on this side of the river I will see that you don't starve,” replied George ”After you have told the cole Pass of the attempt that is to be made to release those murderers, come up to Fort Lamoine and I will find some honest work for you to do
The soldiers at the post are not acquainted with you, and consequently there will be no one to trouble you I will say that you used to work for my father, and that will help you to a position”
While Springer was trying to rateful he was to him for his kindness, there was a rap at the door, and Bob thrust his head into the room to announce in a surly tone that breakfast was ready
”Where's Zeke?” asked George
”Gone,” was the laconic reply
”All right! If he is foolish enough to go off without any breakfast, let hiood-bye, I know Bob,” added George, pointing to the clothes-bag, which he had packed while he and his visitor were conversing, ”put this into the pack-saddle, and have everything ready, so that I can start as soon as I have eaten breakfast--Co roo for hie of the cuisine in the effort to serve up a breakfast that would tery or not
True to his prouest were obliged to wait on theot on very well While they were eating George once er, and reiterated his proive hi
Breakfast over, George accouest to the door, and saw hiht the boy went into the house after his weapons and to take leave of the servants, ere good-natured enough now that Springer was gone After shaking the to their hearty wishes for his safe and speedy return, he mounted his horse, which stood at the porch saddled and bridled, took his pack-mule by the halter and rode away toward Mr
Gilbert's ranche The first person to greet him as he drew rein in front of the door was Zeke, who had so emphatically declared that he would not have another word to say to him
”Where's that pizen varmint?” demanded the herdsman in no very ae, ”if you should happen to one, I want you to treat him civilly; do you understand?
If you see him in trouble, I want you to help him out He is sorry for what he has done, and intends to lead a better life; and if you don't assist him in every way you can, you are not the fellow I take you for”
”Humph!” exclaimed Zeke contemptuously ”Sorry, ain't he? Wants to lead a better life, don't he? Well, it's hty little chance he'll have if he in me the way he did this mornin', I bet you”
”He couldn't help it; Jake and Bob threw hiainst you I know he is in earnest, for he has proved it He came to the ranch to tellover to capture one down to warn the officer in cole Pass that an attempt will soon be made to liberate the , Mr Gilbert I have stopped to say good-bye”
”Why don't you slap your foot down an' tell hio, Gilbert?”
deo as you are,” replied Mr Gilbert ”But it is to our interest to do all we can to break up this raiding business, and George can do more than any of us In fact, he is the only one in the settle, for you know the colonel wouldn't accept the services of our coe, and say good-bye to Mrs Gilbert and the girls”