Which attack had the effect of reducing the pandemonium, but in no way suppressing the ardent spirits of the party. It acted as a challenge, which Jacob Smith promptly took up.
“Say, boys,” he cried, “we’re goin’ to git eddication from Arizona!”
His remark was followed by a derisive roar of laughter at Arizona’s expense. But the moment it had subsided the derided one shot out his retort.
“Guess ther’s things and critturs down our country we don’t never figger to eddicate—them’s hogs.”
“Fer the reason which they knows more’n you,” returned Jacob, in no way worried by the personality.
The boys considered the point achieved by Jacob, and another laugh at Arizona’s expense went up. He had stumped the cowpuncher, who now entered the fight with wonderfully good-natured zest.
“Say,” he observed, “I ain’t had a heap to do wi’ your folks, Jacob, but I’m guessin’ ef you’re talkin’ Gospel, things don’t run in your fam’ly.”
“Call him a hog right out, Arizona,” put in Raw, lazily.
“I ain’t callin’ Jacob no hog; et ’ud be a nasty trick—on the hog,” observed the ready-tongued man.
“Hallo, Jacob!” cried Lew, as the laugh turned on the other man this time.