Having given Necia's message to Poleon, the Lieutenant took up his business with the trader. It concerned the purchase of certain supplies that had been omitted from the military outfit, and when this was concluded he referred to the encounter of that morning.
"I don't want you to think I bungle everything in that manner," he said, "for I don't. I want to work with you, and I want to be friends with you."
"I'm willing," said Gale.
"Nobody dislikes playing policeman more than I do, but it's a part of my duty, and I'll have to do it," continued the young man.
"I reckon you simply aim to keep peace, eh? You ain't lookin' for nobody in particular?"
"Of course not—outside of certain notorious criminals who have escaped justice and worked north."
"Then there is a few that you want, eh?"
"Yes, certain old-timers. The officers at every post have descriptions of a few such, and if they show up we will take them in and hold them till courts are established."
"If you've got their names and descriptions, mebbe I could help you," said the trader, carelessly.
"Thank you, I'll bring up the list and we'll go over it together. You must have been here a good while."