When he came upon Arnold and Robinson waiting in the road, Jake Harper drew rein very abruptly. At sight of Robinson’s laughing gaze, a shock of surprise crossed his seamed features. His eyes opened wide.
“For the love of Mike!” he uttered. “You!”
“C’rect the first shot as usual, Jake. Sure’s my name’s Jack Robinson, it’s me! I been having quite a bit o’ talk with Arnold; friendly and peaceable. How’re you, Jake?”
They shook hands warmly. Suddenly old Jake broke into a storm of affectionate curses. His huge paw pounded Robinson on the back again and again.
“Boy, I’m glad to see ye!” he cried, lustily roaring the words. “Dog-gone it, I’m the happiest man in the Territory—State, I mean. Hurray! By gosh, if I’d knowed it was you under that black hat——”
“Uh-huh.” Robinson’s eyes crinkled. “I thought you was layin’ up there in the brush, most likely. Right here and now, Jake, I utters heartfelt thanks. Sure’s my name’s Jack Robinson, I ain’t a bit scart to explore the other world, but I don’t aim to do it any sooner than I have to. If you hadn’t attended to Mr. Knute, I’d certain sure be wandering lonesome and lonely the other side Jordan this minute. That’s what comes of bein’ a stranger, now. Say, Sam Fisher said to tell you he couldn’t get away, so I come instead.”
“Huh?” Jake Harper puffed out his cheeks. “Oh, he did, did he? Durned fool, that Sam Fisher! Got a big repytation and ain’t got the nerve to live up to it! Hey, Arnold! What in time are you exposin’ your flannels for thataway?”
Arnold grinned. “I got swiped by a long-distance bee, thirty-thirty caliber,” he said. “If you ain’t got no objections, Jake, where’s Matt Brady and Knute?”
Jake Harper twirled his vivid black mustache. “I dunno,” he responded thoughtfully. “I could make a blamed good guess where they ain’t, though; they ain’t reposin’ on no fleecy clouds with a harp in each hand! This here Jack Robinson is severeal seconds faster’n Matt Brady was, Arnold; yes, sir, severeal! Guess I’d better give him a job, hadn’t I?”
Arnold put out his hand to Robinson again, and they shook. “Guess you had, Jake,” he responded. “They tried the old game on the stranger, eh? Knute off to one side?”