At this Professor Scotch gave a groan of dismay, faintly gurgling:
"Then I'm a goner!"
That the stranger was a half-blood could be seen at a glance.
"Drap thet cigaroot, an' give an account of yerself instanter right off!" ordered Bushnell, threateningly. "Who in blazes be yer?"
The cigarette fell from the man's lips, and he answered:
"I am Rodeo."
"Wa'al, who is Rodeo?"
"The brother of Pacheco."
"Don't I toldt you dot!" panted the Dutch boy.
Professor Scotch groaned again, and rolled a little farther from the half-blood, but still made no effort to sit up.