"I think you was working with that feller," says one man, excited.
"Dream on—dream on," says Ag, "but don't make any motions in your sleep. I've heard that wakin' up somnambulists with a .44 Colt's is bad for their nervous systems." The lad was quiet. "Gentlemen," says Aggy, "if you have kicks, prepare to shed them now."
"No tickee—no kickee," says the cow-puncher. "But kindly don't bunch me with these Foundered Dogs," pointing to the rest.
"Certainly not," says Ag. "Come with us, friend?"
"I sure ought not to," says the puncher, scratchin' his head. "The ole man expects me to go down to Sweet Water and bring home a bunch of calves; but, thunder! calves just loves to play, and the ole man's got so quiet that Peace troubles his mind. Where you goin'?"
"Well," says Ag, sincerely, "you can search me."
"Fits me to half a pound," says the puncher; "ain't nothin' suits me better than to fall against somethin' I don't know the name of. Darn calves; if there's anything I don't like some more than other things, calves is the party of the first part—— Yekhoo!" says he, "c'm round here, Mary Jane." With that he waved his leg over the saddle and we was off.
"You fellers got any money?" says the puncher. We told him we was entirely innocent in that respect.
"Well, I got fifty of my own, and two hundred the ole man give me to buy any likely stock I might see. He'll stand on one leg and talk naughty to me when he finds I've spent it, but, Lord! there's no use remembering things that ain't happened yet, and besides, he was a hopper grass that flew, when he was a youngster. So that's all right. Gosh! don't it feel good to be out in the real fresh air oncet more!"
It sure was good. We made it, ride and tie, northeast by the compass. There's one good thing about these United States—so long's you keep movin' you're sure to run into a town somewheres.