“Who told them? I kept it quiet—can’t stand ceremonies.”
“It must have been Rob.”
“Confound him! There’s no time for kissing. It’s fifty miles to Graymount, and the train is scheduled for noon. Send ’em away.”
Dan opened his eyes with horror at the suggestion.
“I ain’t takin’ risks. You got heaps of time. It’s only five o’clock and the road is good to Graymount.”
“More’n Rob’s hosses are. That off-side mare’s like a sausage on four crooked sticks.”
“Jim! We want Colorado Jim!” was howled up from below.
The much desired went to the window. 10
“Boys,” he bawled, “you all run along home. I gotta catch a train.”
His voice was drowned by horrible threats of what they would do if he didn’t hike down immediately. He turned to Dan.