“Wal, what do you think of my proposition. Fine chance for a spec,” said he, speaking rapidly and looking shrewdly. “’Taint often you have such a chance.”
“I have no particular feeling about it either way,” replied Wainwright. “It is a big loss for you, but we are bound to this emigrant party, having made an engagement to accompany them through the mountains, and don’t believe Lancaster or Harling will join you without the free consent of this party.”
“Hang the Comanches!” exclaimed Swipes, as well as he could, with his mouth full of meat, bread and milk; “hang ’em I say, they’re up to all kinds of tricks, I understand, but I think they have served us just about the meanest one I ever heerd tell 'on. I swan if they haint. I say, Mr. Wainwright, are you much acquainted with the place over the mountains where you’re going!”
“Never have been there in my life.”
“Don’t say; how in creation then are you going to act as guide; that’s what I should like to know?”
“I am not the guide; it is Lancaster; he has been on the mountains several times.”
“O—ah! I understand; then he could tell me all about the country. Have you ever heard him speak of the place?”
“Oh! yes; he has referred to it many times.”
“Do you know whether there is a good opening for a talented young man?”
“It isn’t likely these emigrants would be traveling there through all this danger, unless there was a prospect of their bettering themselves. But what sort of business do you expect engaging in?”