"Let it drive," said Frank. "I'm listening."
"Like 'most ev'rybody," said Bill, "I'm out fer the dust. That's what brought me up against you. I opined you'd be easy meat. I've sorter changed my mind. You look an' talk like a tenderfoot, but I take it that you has your eye-teeth cut, an' this yere ain't the first time you've seen Arizona."
"I have been in Arizona before. I have likewise been in various parts of the West."
"I knowed it," nodded Bill. "I likewise opine you has a whole lot of fight in ye."
"Well, I rather enjoy the strenuous life."
"But you're certain up against a right powerful combination in this yere gang what means to have your mines."
"Without doubt."
"You needs assistance to hold them there mines. Such bein' the case, suppose we strikes a partnership,[Pg 43] you an' I, an' stan's by each other. You'll find me a right handy partner when it comes to fightin', an' I kin back ye up with a gang what will wade through gore fer me. Under them circumstances, I reckons we kin give this yere minin' trust a run fer its money."
"Your offer is very interesting, not to say fascinating," confessed Frank. "But there is something behind it. Come out with the whole matter."
"There's nothing to come out with, save that I'm to be taken in a half-partner in your mines."