“Never mind,” said the Colonel who had noticed the movement. “I expect an old Indian in with grub. But step into the cave and if it’s who you think it is you can count on me till the hair slips.”
Wiley stepped in quietly, strapping on his belt and pistol, and then the Colonel burst into a roar.
“It’s Charley,” he cried, leaping nimbly to his feet and putting up his gun. “Come on, boy–here’s where we get that drink!”
Wiley looked out doubtfully as Heine rushed up and sniffed at the pans of meat, and then he ducked back and hid. Around the shoulder of the cliff came Death Valley Charley; but behind him, on a burro, was Virginia. He looked out again as the Colonel swore an oath and then she leapt off and ran towards them.
“Oh–Father!” she cried and hung about his neck while the astonished Colonel kissed her doubtfully.
“Well, well!” he protested as she fell to weeping, “what’s the cause of all this distress? Is your mother not well, or─”
“We–we thought you were dead!” she burst out indignantly, “and Charley there knew–all the time!”
282She let go of her father and turned upon Death Valley Charley, who was solicitously attending to Heine, and the Colonel spoke up peremptorily.
“Here, Charley!” he commanded, “let that gluttonous cur wait. What’s this I hear from Virginia? Didn’t you tell her I was perfectly well?”
“Why–why yes, sir; I did, sir,” replied Charley, apologetically, “but–she only thought I was crazy. I told her, all the time─”