“Always did trust us, master,” said the man surlily.
“Allays,” said the one nearest to him, a swarthier, more surly, and fiercer-looking fellow than his companion.
“I always did, Joses; I always did, Juan; and you too, Harry and Sam,” said the first speaker. “I was always proud of the way in which my ranche was protected and my cattle cared for.”
“We could not help the Injuns stampeding the lot, master, time after time.”
“And ruining me at last, my lads? No; it was no fault of yours. I suppose it was my own.”
“No, master, it was setting up so close to the hunting-grounds, and the Injun being so near.”
“Ah well, we need not consider how all that came to pass, my lads: we know they ruined me.”
“And you never killed one o’ them for it, master,” growled Joses.
“Nor wished to, my lad. They did not take our lives.”
“But they would if they could have broken in and burnt us out, master,” growled Joses.