“I don’t know, I am sure. I asked the question because the men up there,”—here Arthur nodded his head toward the ranch—“seem to be angry about something.”
“Probably they are; for, as I told you yesterday, they don’t like you or your father. They know that you will come into possession of this property now, and they don’t want to have it so.”
“I don’t see how they are going to help it.”
“I don’t either; but they can make this a hot country for you, if they set about it. Now, then, to business! I have come for my pay.”
“For your pay!” echoed Arthur.
“That’s what I said. You don’t suppose that I am going to put you into possession of a property worth millions of dollars, and take the risk of a lynching for nothing, do you? What kind of a hair-pin do you think I am, anyway?”
Arthur was almost overwhelmed with amazement and terror. He had never dreamed of this.
“I don’t owe you anything,” he managed to say at last. “I told you that I would use my influence with my father to have you employed on the ranch; and so I will, just as soon as Mr. Evans goes away and I can find an opportunity to speak with him in private; but, beyond that, I can do nothing for you.”
“It ain’t enough, pilgrim!” replied Sam, in quiet, but decided tones. “Must have more.”
“But I say I don’t owe you anything.”