"Darn it all, Willy, why didn't you sing out, why didn't you sing out?" the engineer chattered in deep self-reproach. "Holy smoked fish! I wouldn't have had this happen for a farm; you know that, Willy. Hold steady; that's the stuff. Hell, Willy, I'll kick myself for the rest of my natural!"
"'Twon't hurt him none; a little bleeding's good in this weather," drawled Blease.
"You shoot ojus quick," said the Indian.
"I had to, Willy; I had to," protested Higgins. "Couldn't make you out, and I couldn't risk any one getting the drop on me."
"Shoot first; look who is by'm by. Holowaugus. No good."
"I took him for one of Garman's gang," explained Higgins to Payne. "I couldn't see for the brush."
"Did purty well, consid'ring that," ventured Blease.
"Esoka—Bonus-che why-o-me," said Willy.
"What?"
"Why-o-me—me want some."