“We’re not looking at scenery,” Teddy said shortly. “And we’re anxious to get on. So if you’ll just depress that cannon of yours, we’ll be on our way.”
“In a powerful hurry, ain’t ye? Sol—” this to the dog—“jest you do a little investigatin’.”
To the surprise of the boys, the dog walked forward, stiff legged, and sniffed loudly at the ponies and their riders. The horses watched him with suspicious eyes, but made no attempt to bolt. The inspection over, the dog returned to his mistress and casually flopped down at her feet. Then, and not till then, did the rifle butt rest upon the ground. The woman leaned on the barrel, her eyes glittering strangely.
“Lucky fer ye my dawg gives ye a clean bill,” she said, with a little laugh. “Sol, here, is my outpost, an’ nothin’ goes by here that he don’t give the once over—not nothin’!” She spat energetically. “Now, if you-all have a mind to, ye can ride on. But stay clear of the cabin. Sol don’t like strangers.”
Bug Eye cast a quick look at Teddy.
“Maybe we ain’t in such a hurry as we was,” he stated carelessly. “Kind of hot, ridin’.” He dismounted slowly, and gave the reins of his mount to Gus to hold. “I guess you won’t mind if I go around back an’ help myself to a little water outen the pump, ma’am?”
“Hold up!”
The rifle barrel menaced the figure on foot. Bug Eye started in simulated surprise. “You’re goin’ to stay right where you air,” the woman said viciously. “Don’t you come snoopin’ around me! Sol, watch him!” The dog trotted forward, teeth bared, growling menacingly. “Puncher, if you want to stay whole, don’t move! My dawg ain’t had a workout in two weeks, an’ he sure craves action!”
Bug Eye looked down at the animal, thrust out his hand experimentally, and then quickly withdrew it.
“I ain’t exactly aimin’ to take on no dog,” he muttered. “I guess you don’t like visitors, ma’am, from the looks of things. Well, I stay thirsty, I can see that.” Keeping an eye on the dog, he remounted. “You ain’t never heard of the book of etiquette, I reckon. Ought to get it, ma’am. Do you a lot of good. It says in there to always treat a guest with the utmost consideration.”