Gallup laughed heartily, slapping his knee.
"That's right, by gum!" he cried. "The wind blows ev'ry time Jack opens his maouth."
"You are jealous," said Ready. "You are jealous of my wisdom and eloquence. Get thee behind me, Nose Talk! Your face is painful to look upon."
"Don't you go to makin' that kind of gab!" snapped Gallup. "If yeou do, dinged if I don't jolt ye one in the slats!"
"Such language! Slats! I'm shocked! Never have you heard words of slang ripple from my tuneful vocal chords. I disdain such frivolity! Slang gives me a pain! Go lay down!"
"Lay!" snorted Ephraim. "I'm no hen!"
"Let's have breakfast," said Hodge. "We may as well get on the move before it grows too hot."
It did not take long to prepare breakfast, but old Joe seemed to grow ill at the sight of food. All he wanted was water, and he threatened to drink the[Pg 277] weak little spring dry. After a time, he seemed more inclined to talk.
"No ketch Cim'r'n Bill?" he said.
"So you found out we were after him?" said Frank.