"Wa'al, dern your skin!" cried Bushnell. "You've got a nerve to come hyar! I s'pose Pacheco an' his gang of onery varmints is within whoopin' distance?"
"I am alone; there is no one within call."
"Wa'al, w'at be yer hyar fer, thet's what I wants ter know?"
"I found you asleep, and I came to warn you."
"Of what?"
"Danger. The ladrones are on your trail already. Before the sun sinks behind the mountains they will be here. If you are not gone, you must all fall into their hands."
Bushnell looked doubtful and suspicious, while a puzzled expression came into his bronzed face.
"Look hyar," he said; "you're up ter some game, an' I'm derned ef I know what she am, but yer wants ter understand yer can't monkey with this old coon none whatever. I hold the drop on yer, Old Socks, an' I may take a fancy ter bore yer once jest fer fun, so ye'd best talk straight an' squar', an' be lively about it."
"Yah," nodded Hans, threateningly, "you petter peen in a plamed pig hurry apoudt dot talking pusiness."
"What do you wish me to say, señors?"