"Never, never, never—" began Angy, holding up his hand to swear; but Pecos stopped him with a sign.
"Nothing like that, Pardner," he said. "You been breakin' that pledge for forty years. Jest look me in the eye now and promise me you won't tech a drop until I'm free."
"All right, Pecos," agreed Angy, "I'll do it, I won't touch a drop till you're free."
"And when I'm free," continued Pecos, "I'll stake you to a drunk from which Geronimo will sure date time. Now let's git down to business."
The details of that campaign against the People were talked over in hushed secrecy and when on Monday morning Pecos appeared before the stern judge to plead, Angevine Thorne stood just within the rail, shuffling his worn hat nervously.
"I will call the case of the People versus Pecos Dalhart," said the judge. "Pecos Dalhart, to the charge of grand larceny do you plead 'Guilty' or 'Not guilty'?"
"'Not guilty,' Your Honor!" responded Pecos.
"The defendant enters a plea of 'Not guilty,'" observed the judge impassively. "Are you represented by counsel, Mr. Dalhart?"
"No, Your Honor," replied Pecos.
"You understand, do you not, that in case you are unable to employ an attorney the court will appoint one to advise you, free of charge?"