CHAPTER IX
WHEREIN UNCLE HENRY CHATTERS SOME MORE, THERE IS AN AUCTION, AND THINGS LOOK BLACK INDEED
"And now for business," Lopez said. "And remember zat he what tells a lie shall be right away shotted." In his excitement he lost the little English he had.
"I only hope he tells one!" Uncle Henry couldn't help saying, pointing to Hardy.
"You wish him to be shot?" the bandit wanted to know.
"Absolutely!" Uncle Henry was quick to answer.
Angela was horrified. "You want him to kill my dad?"
"I should enjoy it tremendous," Uncle Henry kept right on, and all but smacked his thin old lips.
Lopez was interested. "Why," he said slowly, wishing to get at the bottom of things, "do you wish him to be shotted so tremendous?"
Uncle Henry had no hesitation in answering: "Because he come to skin us out of this place, gol darn him!" And then, as if to save his skin, he pushed his chair far into the alcove, and, from this vantage point, watched to see what Hardy would do and say. He was aware that he had gotten him in a devilish stew. It served him right. He was a robber, a thief, and he didn't care what became of him. If Lopez took him out and had him shot at once he wouldn't have felt a qualm.