“We was hid in the lantana,” resumed Dave, “the night we ran away from home, an’ we heard this German feller an’ another feller talkin’.”
Petit started.
“Keep still, Sour Krout!” admonished Tom. “I told you there was ten shots in this rifle, didn’t I.”
“You shoot ’im in the stummick, Tom,” enjoined Dave, stepping back, “if he tries to get at me.”
“Don’t you fret! He won’t never get within three yards of you!” replied Tom, “I’ll down him the first step he takes!”
“Well, we was hid in the scrub,” resumed Dave, speaking quickly, “an’ we heard ’im an’ another cove plannin’ to rob a bank!”
Dave paused to consult Tom with his eye.
“Go on!” cried Dan and George, eagerly.
Tom nodded.
“Go on,” he said. “Tell the whole truth, an’ nothink but the truth, so-’elp-you. We’ve turned Queen’s evidence. They can’t tech us; besides, we had nothink to do with it. We only seen it.”