"Three children," grunted Ackerman, "An' scabby. Two sentries an' a hunter."
Holbrook poked the fire. "Kit Carson, Dan'l Boone, an' Californy Joe. Three scouts. Th' ambushin' trio."
"Faith, Hope, an' Charity," chuckled Purdy.
"You called it," grinned Holbrook.
"If Custer had only had 'em," said Ackerman, "there'd been no massacre."
"Huh!" grunted Gates. "What could I do, with them two fools herdin' with me?"
"Not so much herdin' with you, as tryin' to herd you," said Harrison blithely.
Gates sought escape by creating a diversion, and shouted: "Hey, look at him!" and pointing at the cook, who staggered past under a great load of saplings and poles.
"Hey, Cookie!" he shouted stentoriously. "Why don't you put them birds in th' house nights, an' sleep in th' coop, yoreself?"