"One of Cimarron Bill's hired tools, or I am mistaken! He followed us here and tried to creep in on us with that knife, meaning to finish the job at which he failed in town. Boxer saved us. Good old Boxer! Poor old Boxer!"
The dog whined a little on hearing this name from Frank's lip's, and feebly wagged his tail. The moonlight showed his eyes turned toward Merry's face.
"Is it so bad there's no show for him?" asked Hodge, in genuine distress.
"No show!" sobbed Frank. "He's finished, Bart! It's a shame! The most knowing dog in the whole world! And he has to die like this, killed by a human being that is more of a beast than he!"
"It's a shame!" said Bart.
The dog licked Frank's hand. Merry bowed his head, and tears started from his eyes.
"Poor Boxer!" he choked. "Boxer, we have to part here. You're going to another country, where I must follow in time. It's all up with you. You may[Pg 241] find your first master over there; but he'll never love you more than I have. Good-by, Boxer!"
The dog uttered a whine. And so his life ended in Frank's arms, with the moonlight falling on them and the stillness of the Arizona night all around.
Hodge entered the hut, only to come forth, bringing the blankets and looking very sick.
"For Heaven's sake, let's get away from here!" he exclaimed.