"Well, if he don't want to be shot he'd better turn right back."
"Jest you tell yo' hold-ups, Jim," says I, "that them leaden go-through pills don't suit my delicate health." I dropped my hands, and the first robber asked Jim if he would answer for me.
Jim said he would.
"Take this man through," said the robber, and Jim led me, mighty pleased, to where the lantern shone.
"Captain," says he, "here's old Chalkeye!"
McCalmont jumped down from the buckboard, holding out his lantern. "Wall," says he, "I'm glad to see ye, Misteh Davies, I certainly am—shake hearty. Whar you from?"
"Is Curly with you?"
"Here's me," came a faint chirp out of the bedding.
"Her wound broke out agin," says McCalmont.
"Her wound?" I howled.