“But it’s full!” objected Wiley.
“Yes, I refilled it,” answered Charley and helped himself to another nip. “Thas second time now I took that whiskey to the Colonel and both times I drunk it up. Thas bad–the Colonel will kill me.”
183“Yes, and do a danged good job,” grumbled Wiley morosely. “You sure got me in Dutch with Virginia.”
“She says you stole her mine,” defended Charley stoutly. “And don’t you say nothing against Virginia. She’s noblest girl the sun ever shined. I’ll killany man that says different!”
“Oh yes, sure,” agreed Wiley, “I’d do that myself. But Charley, I didn’t steal her mine. I got it from Blount, and if she wants it back–say, Charley, you tell her I want to see her!”
He leaned over eagerly and laid his hand on Charley’s shoulder, but Death Valley shook him off.
“No!” he declaimed. “The Huffs are poor but proud–they don’t take charity from no one!”
“Aw, but, Charley,” he argued, “this isn’t charity. We’ll get it away from Blount!”
“You’re drunk!” declared Charley and turned sternly to the demijohn which was rapidly going down.
“Well, maybe I am,” admitted Wiley craftily, “but that’s all right, isn’t it, between friends?”