“‘Shame on you, Chinook Bill,’ says I, ‘to want ter assassinate yer bosom friend.’
“Bill looks sheepish an’ says, defiant:
“‘I been shot in the laig by a atrocious vision what sneaked up from behint me.’
“‘Shoo!’ says I, ‘it was the fire of yer pipe.’
“Chinook Bill looks at the hole in his jeans an’ grows absent.
“‘If you’ll never tell on me, Pete,’ says he, ‘I’ll bless yer ol’ age with my gratitoode. Come out an’ shake hands.’
“‘Have another capsule de quinine,’ says I, doubtful.
“‘You don’t trust your bosom friend,’ says he, reproachful.
“I put a hand to my heart an’ repeats:
“‘Your sad plight bereaves me much, dear friend, but I am guided by the light o’ a deeper understandin’. Have another capsule de quinine an’ rest yer tired bones in yon cool shade.’