[pg 262]
"Who's thar?"
"Hold, Bill! Friends! Easy now!"
The old man pulled together, rubbed his eyes.
"I must of went to sleep agin," said he. "My horse--pshaw now, pore critter, do-ee look now!"
In rapid words he now told his errand. They could see the train accelerating its speed. Jackson felt in the bag at his belt and handed Banion the folded paper. He opened the folds steadily, read the words again and again.
"'Come to us,'" is what it says. He spoke to Jackson.
"Ye're a damned liar, Will," remarked Jackson.
"I'll read it all!" said Banion suddenly.