"That's what the law'd like tuh hang him fer bein' if they knowed where tuh reach him."
Yuma took a step closer to the girl, his thumb jerked over his shoulder in the general direction of the open grazing land. "Out thar brandin' cattle," he said, "they's a couple hombres that was in the hoss-tradin' business in Mexico last year. They sold hosses tuh some soldiers down thar. Only trouble with that was that they wasn't pertickler whar from the hosses came. When they got catched takin' some hossflesh from a gent named Turner, without payin' fer the same, they shot old Turner."
Penny knew from his manner that Yuma told the truth, but she nevertheless found it hard to believe him. "What are their names?" she asked.
"No one knows their real names, but they draw pay here under the names of Lombard an' Sawtell. As fer me, yuh c'n jest call me 'Yuma.'"
Penny grew serious. "Very well," she said, "I'll call you Yuma."
"I suppose it's right nervy o' me tuh make mention o' this next," said Yuma, "But, I—er—uh...."
"Perhaps," interrupted the girl, "if you think it nervy, you'd better not say it."
"Wal, I'm agoin' tuh jest the same. Now see here, Miss Penelope, I would sure like yuh tuh feel that if ever yuh want someone that yuh c'n count on tuh do somethin', no matter what it is, you'll call on me."
"But I hardly know you," said Penny—then, irrepressibly, "this is so sudden!"