CHAPTER III
California John was discursive and interested and disinclined to be hurried. He crossed one leg over the other and lit his pipe.
"I was driftin' down the road busy with my own idees—which ain't many," he began, "when I was woke up all to once by someone givin' me advice. I took the advice. Wasn't nothin' else to do. All I could see was a rock and a gun barrel. That was enough. So I histed my hands as per commands and waited for the next move." He chuckled. "I wasn't worryin'. Had to squeeze my dust bag to pay my hotel bill when I left the city."
"'Drop yore gun in the road,' says the agent.
"I done so.
"'Now dismount.'
"I climbed down. And then Jimmy Gaynes rose up from behind that rock and laughed at me.
"'The joke's on me!' said I, and reached down for my gun.
"'Better leave that!' said Jimmy pretty sharp. I know that tone of voice, so I straightened up again.