"Never tetched us," answered Shorty, in perfect reproduction of Mrs. Bolster's accents. "We'uns is all right."
The hissing from the cabin became so loud that it seemed impossible for Groundhog not to hear it.
"Blast it, Si, can't you gag that old guinea-hen," said Shorty, in a savage undertone.
Si was in the meanwhile muttering all sorts of savage threats at Mrs. Bolster, the least of which was to go in and choke the life out of her if she did not stop her signalling.
"Glad t' hear it," said Groundhog. "I was a leetle skeery all day about it, an' come out as soon's I could. Have yo' seed Brad Tingle?"
"Yes; seen him to-day."
"D' yo' know whar he is? Kin yo' git word to him quick?"
"Yes, indeed; right off."
"Well, send word to him as soon as you kin, that I've got the mules ready for stampedin' an' runnin' off at any time, an' waitin' for him. The sooner he kin jump the corral the better. To-night, if he kin, but suttinly not later'n to-morrer night. Be sure and git word to him by early to-morrer mornin' at the furthest."
"I'll be sure t' git word t' him this very night," answered the fictitious Mrs. Bolster.