“What I’m doin’ I’m doin’ on account o’ the sky pilot. He’s a friend o’ Perry’s.”
“All right, Hawkins, let it go at that. Has that hunchback returned from Hackamore yet?”
“I reckon not.”
“You think the White Caps are going to make a move against Perry and Buffalo Bill?”
“They’ll move ag’in Perry. Prob’ly some un has come in with news, an’ that’s why the White Caps aire gittin’ ready ter move. What the news is I don’t know. But you hustle ter tell Buffler Bill what ye know. Thar’s been sich a delay gittin’ you loose that the scout’ll have to make his play ag’in long odds; but, like as not, a quick move fer Perry an’ Dunbar’ll put ’em right. If I kin——”
At that moment a call for Hawkins came from up the hill.
“The White Caps is waitin’ fer me,” added Hawkins hastily. “Ride the river fer a mile, then take ter the trail. Adios!”
With an answer to the call from above on his lips, Ace Hawkins hurried out of the grove.
Wild Bill waited for nothing further but spurred to the river’s edge and into the water; then, turning Beeswax in the direction of the Star-A he proceeded cautiously to pass the guards posted by Benner.