“I wonder if Trampas is shouting too?” inquired Ogden.
“Hm!” said the Judge. “That is one of the particulars I wash my hands of.”
I knew that he entirely meant it. I knew, once his decision taken of appointing the Virginian his lieutenant for good and all, that, like a wise commander-in-chief, he would trust his lieutenant to take care of his own business.
“Well,” Ogden pursued with interest, “haven't you landed Trampas plump at his mercy?”
The phrase tickled the Judge. “That is where I've landed him!” he declared. “And here is Dr. MacBride.”
XXI. IN A STATE OF SIN
Thunder sat imminent upon the missionary's brow. Many were to be at his mercy soon. But for us he had sunshine still. “I am truly sorry to be turning you upside down,” he said importantly. “But it seems the best place for my service.” He spoke of the tables pushed back and the chairs gathered in the hall, where the storm would presently break upon the congregation. “Eight-thirty?” he inquired.
This was the hour appointed, and it was only twenty minutes off. We threw the unsmoked fractions of our cigars away, and returned to offer our services to the ladies. This amused the ladies. They had done without us. All was ready in the hall.
“We got the cook to help us,” Mrs. Ogden told me, “so as not to disturb your cigars. In spite of the cow-boys, I still recognize my own country.”