“If you’re getting cold feet, Tex,” snapped Lawless, “now’s your time to quit. Ride out of this cañon, if you want to, and go where you please. If you do that, however, you’ll not come in for anything we get out of the Forty Thieves. There’ll be just so much more for the rest of us, and I’m figuring the mine will make us rich.”
“Don’t be a fool, Tex,” growled Seth Coomby. “Who’s goin’ ter know thet we done fer the scout an’ his pards? It’ll look like er accident.”
“Accident, nothin’,” scoffed Tex. “Didn’t the cap’n send the deed ter Gentleman Jim, an’ along with ther deed didn’t he send a line darin’ the scout ter stay three days an’ nights in the mine? Shore he did! An’ thet means, when Buffler Bill an’ his pards aire done up, thet the hull bloomin’ job is tacked onter us.”
“Are you going with Clancy and Coomby, Tex,” demanded Lawless angrily, “or are you going to cut yourself out of this herd? Make up your mind, for we haven’t any time to spare.”
“I’m game ter go on,” returned Tex. “I’m in so fur, now, thet it don’t make much diff’rence, anyways.”
“That’s the way ter talk!” approved Clancy.
“Sure you’ve placed those loads right, Clancy?” asked Lawless, turning to the other man, now that the business with Tex was settled.
“You bet! Them blasts’ll do the trick. Meanwhile, cap’n, you see to it that no one gits on top o’ the dump an’ lets down a rope.”
“If any one tries to do that,” scowled Lawless, “he’ll be shot off the dump. One of the Cheyennes is watching, and has his orders. But who is there to help Buffalo Bill out of the hole? We’ve captured the only two men he had with him, and he’s now bottled up in the level and shaft, powerless to do anything to help himself. But ride on, ride on. You boys understand what’s wanted, and there’s no use wasting time in further parley.”
At that, the party separated, Clancy, Seth Coomby, and Tex riding down the cañon, and Lawless retreating toward the cañon wall.