“Colonel,” called one of the men behind him, “them is likely animals.”
“I had obsarved that fact myself; strangers, I’ve made up my mind to buy them critters; what’s your price?”
“They are not for sale,” replied Captain Dawson.
“Why not?”
“We need them for our own use.”
“Then we’ll trade.”
“You won’t do anything of the kind,” said the captain, speaking with the utmost coolness, but with that 244 paling of the countenance and glitter of the eyes that Colonel Briggs would have done well to heed.
“Strikes me, stranger, you’re rather peart in your observations,” said the leader with an odd chuckle; “we ain’t used to having people speak to us in that style.”
“It is my custom to say what I mean; it saves misunderstanding.”
“It’s my opinion, stranger, you’d better say trade.”