Part 6 (1/2)
”It's my box of Consumption Killer,” explained the drummer; ”Well, I hope that man will stay out all night.”
”Bed narrow?” I inquired.
”For two it is. And the pillows are mean. Takes both before you feel anything's under your head.”
He yawned, and I wished him pleasant dreams.
At my news the Virginian left the bar at once; and crossed to the sleeping room. Steve and I followed softly, and behind us several more strung out in an expectant line. ”What is this going to be?” they inquired curiously of each other. And upon learning the great novelty of the event, they cl.u.s.tered with silence intense outside the door where the Virginian had gone in.
We heard the voice of the drummer, cautioning his bed-fellow. ”Don't trip over the Killer,” he was saying. ”The Prince of Wales barked his s.h.i.+n just now.” It seemed my English clothes had earned me this t.i.tle.
The boots of the Virginian were next heard to drop.
”Can yu' make out what he's at?” whispered Steve.
He was plainly undressing. The rip of swift unb.u.t.toning told us that the black-headed guy must now be removing his overalls.
”Why, thank yu', no,” he was replying to a question of the drummer.
”Outside or in's all one to me.”
”Then, if you'd just as soon take the wall--”
”Why, cert'nly.” There was a sound of bedclothes, and creaking.
”This hyeh pillo' needs a Southern climate,” was the Virginian's next observation.
Many listeners had now gathered at the door. The dealer and the player were both here. The storekeeper was present, and I recognized the agent of the Union Pacific Railroad among the crowd. We made a large company, and I felt that trembling sensation which is common when the cap of a camera is about to be removed upon a group.
”I should think,” said the drummer's voice, ”that you'd feel your knife and gun clean through that pillow.”
”I do,” responded the Virginian.
”I should think you'd put them on a chair and be comfortable.”
”I'd be uncomfortable, then.”
”Used to the feel of them, I suppose?”
”That's it. Used to the feel of them. I would miss them, and that would make me wakeful.”
”Well, good night.”
”Good night. If I get to talkin' and tossin', or what not, you'll understand you're to--”
”Yes, I'll wake you.”
”No, don't yu', for G.o.d's sake!”
”Not?”
”Don't yu' touch me.”
”What'll I do?”