Herb. Thank you, very much.
Grouse. Don’t mention it. (Looks at him.) You’re a tenderfoot, I guess!
Herb. (Smiles.) Yes, that is, I have been in Colorado only six months. They told me of this Vance over at Dead Man’s Gulch. (Rests foot on log.)
Grouse. Did you want to see him pertickler?
Herb. Rather particular, yes.
Grouse. If it’s business, Rogers knows.
Herb. It’s a private matter. Perhaps he is at the Lucy?
Grouse. He’s most likely at the Jumbo. Take the trail straight up an’ it’s jist over the ridge.
Herb. Thank you, I’ll meet him perhaps. Good day. (Exit H., R.)
Grouse. Pr’aps ye wont. I wonder who’ll be wantin’ Vance next? He’s peaceable, I guess. Wants to buy the mine mebbe. If he had been an old man—(Pause.) Great Jerusalem! I’ll bet we’re clean off the lead, digging away in country rock. S’pose that is the feller ’at’s lookin fur Vance. That gal wouldn’t leave no young feller like Vance fur an old man. An’ I’ve told! Well, I’m a bigger fool than I said Jim was. (Runs around.) I’m excited now! This is a case, sure! Minds me of the time Slim Jim shot Club Foot Pete fur cheatin’ at kyards, when pap kep’ the tavern at Cottonwood Pass. Pap was jist reachin’ fur his gun when Pete kind o’ staggered an’ threw up his hands like that, and says he: “Baker, I’m done fur—I pass.” Them was his last words.