“But I know damn well you didn’t do it.”
The rescuer spoke with some irritation; he was still startled. Johnny shook his head thoughtfully.
“The evidence was pretty strong—what I heard of it, anyhow.”
“I guess, by heck, I know a frame-up when I see it. Say, what the hell are you talking about? You wild ass of the desert! Think I got nothing to do but hang on here by my eyelashes and argue with you? One more break like that and down goes your meat house—infernal fool! Listen! There’s a mining shaft right over here—windlass with a ratchet wheel and a pawl. I can hook that windlass rope on these bars and yank ’em out in a jiffy. If the bars are too stubborn I’ll strain the rope tight as ever I can and then pour water on it. That’ll fetch ’em; won’t make much noise, either, I judge. Not now—your jailer man will be calling you to supper in a minute. Maybe we’d better wait till he goes to sleep—or will he lock you up? Fellow, what you want to do is go. You can make Old Mexico to-morrow. I’ll side you if you say so. I’ve got nothing to keep me here.”
“Now ain’t that too bad—and I always wanted to go to Mexico, too,” said Johnny wistfully. “But I reckon I can’t make it this riffle. You see, this old rooster has treated me pretty white—not locked me up, and everything. I wouldn’t like to take advantage of it. Come to think of it, I told him I wouldn’t.”
“Well, say!” Charlie stopped, at loss for words. “I get your idea—but man, they’ll hang you!”
“I’m sorry for that, too,” said Johnny regretfully. “But you see how it is. I haven’t any choice. Much obliged, just the same.” Then his face brightened. “Wait! Wait a minute. Let me think. Look now—if Gwinne locks me up in a cell, bimeby—why, you might come round and have another try, later on. That will be different.”
“I’ll go you once on that,” returned the rescuer eagerly. “Which is your cell?”
“Why, under the circumstances it wouldn’t be just right to tell you—would it, now?” said the prisoner, doubtfully. “I reckon you’ll have to project round and find that out for yourself.”