“Are you a—a desperaydo?” whispered Towhead.
“Oh, my!” observed Mr. McLean, sadly; “what has our Jack been readin'?”
“He's a cattle-man!” cried Billy. “I seen his heels.”
“That's you!” said the discovered puncher, with approval. “You'll do. But I bet you can't tell me what we wearers of this badge have sworn to do this night.”
At this they craned their necks and glared at him.
“We—are—sworn—don't yu' jump, now, and give me away—sworn—to—blow off three bootblacks to a dinner.”
“Ah, pshaw!” They backed away, bristling with distrust.
“That's the oath, fellows. Yu' may as well make your minds up—for I have it to do!”
“Dare you to! Ah!”
“And after dinner it's the Opera-house, to see 'The Children of Captain Cant'!”