“You not goin' run now?” said the Chinaman, anxiously.
“Oh yes, Sam. But I like my gun travelling. Keeps me kind of warm. Now if they should get a sight of me arming—no, she's got to stay here till I come back for her. So long, Sam! See you later. And I'll have time to thank you then.”
Drake went to the corral in a strolling manner. There he roped the strongest of the horses, and also the school-master's. In the midst of his saddling, Bolles came down.
“Can I help you in any way?” said Bolles.
“You've done it. Saved me a bothering touch-and-go play to get you out here and seem innocent. I'm going to drift.”
“Drift?”
“There are times to stay and times to leave, Bolles; and this is a case of the latter. Have you a real gun on now?”
Poor Bolles brought out guiltily his.22 Smith & Wesson. “I don't seem to think of things,” said he.
“Cheer up,” said Drake. “How could you thought-read me? Hide Baby Bunting, though. Now we're off. Quietly, at the start. As if we were merely jogging to pasture.”
Sam stood at his kitchen door, mutely wishing them well. The horses were walking without noise, but Half-past Full looked out of the window.