But Mr. Evans did not seem to think that such a thing could possibly happen, and so Uncle Bob breathed easier.
“But you mustn’t take those things with you,” added the visitor, as Uncle Bob walked toward the safe with the saddle-bags in his hand. “You will never get out of the valley if you do. Be content with what you can carry in your pockets, and leave the rest here until you can communicate with Mr. Jacobs.”
Uncle Bob thought it best to act upon this suggestion; but, after he had stuffed his pockets as full of greenbacks as they could hold, he did not seem to have made any impression upon the contents of the safe. It looked as full as ever; and the greedy old man could not bear the thought of leaving any of his ill-gotten wealth behind.
“These packages are so large that I cannot take many of them with me,” said he, with a deep sigh of regret. “Will you carry some of them?”
“I wouldn’t touch a dollar of that money,” answered Mr. Evans, adding, mentally, “I don’t see how you can do it, either.”
“By-the-way,” said Uncle Bob, as he locked the safe and put the key in one of the bookcases, so that Mr. Jacobs could find it when he wrote to him for the rest of the money, “you spoke about acting as our guide as far as Camp Clark. Why don’t you show us the way to Dixon Springs while you are about it? I want to go back to the States as soon as I can.”
“Camp Clark is about eighty miles nearer, and I want to see you surrounded by the boys in blue before I leave you,” replied Mr. Evans. “They are the only ones who can save you. Now, if you are ready, come on and act— I meant to have told you yesterday that we never think of shearing our sheep on our ranches. It is much easier and cheaper to drive them to the nearest station and shear them there, than it would be to buy or hire wagons enough to haul the wool over these mountains.”
These last words were spoken in a loud tone of voice, and were intended for Ike’s especial benefit.
As Mr. Evans opened the door rather suddenly, he saw that worthy but suspicious individual beat a hasty retreat along the porch and dive into the kitchen. He banged the kettles and pans about for a moment or two, and then he stopped and looked out at the door.
Mr. Evans and Uncle Bob were walking slowly toward the corral, stopping now and then to look about them. They did not act as if they were in a hurry, but Ike was not deceived.