“Now, don’t begin to tell us the story of your life,” warned old Terry, advancing with the basket of provisions. “You eat this good breakfast!”
“But, look here, Terry,” Jimmie grinned. “You said you wanted that breakfast for a dog!”
“Sure!” exclaimed the old crook. “I forgot all about the dog!”
He raced back into the cavern and soon returned carrying a little puppy in his arms.
“He was asleep when you brought me out!” Colleton explained. “I forgot all about him. He’s been a great deal of comfort to me!”
“Do you mean to say, Terry, that you ordered all that breakfast for that little puppy?” demanded Jimmie.
“Well,” replied the old crook, “I really wanted the breakfast for the dog, but I didn’t know but the man might eat part of it! You see,” he continued, “I promised the outlaws that I wouldn’t tell where this man,” pointing to Colleton, “was, and I promised that I wouldn’t lead any one to him, so I had to keep my word, don’t you see?”
“But you did tell us where he was and you did lead us to him!” laughed Jimmie.
“No, I didn’t,” argued Terry, “I told you where there was a hungry little puppy, and I took you to where he was. Of course, if you discovered the man when we went to feed the puppy, I’m not to blame for that.”
“You’re an old fraud, Terry!” cried Jimmie.