“‘Then, alas! It’s death!’ says I.
“‘But we might divert his mind,’ says Bill.
“‘Eloocidate,’ says I again.
“Fer answer Chinook Bill draws forth with his free hand a bottle o’ Arizona Snake Bite to be took in drops diluted with much water an’ swallowed instant so es to lessen the convulsions o’ agony.
“‘I been tryin’ fer the last two months to get strong enough to ease the cork an’ enjoy the heavenly odor o’ this, but I ain’t been robust enough,’ says he, sorrowful. ‘So let them es are more agile an’ spry inherit what the gods bequeath to the valorous.’
“‘It ’ud be cruelty to animals,’ says I.
“‘I ain’t offerin’ it es a nerve tonic,’ says Chinook Bill, snappish, ‘an’ I ain’t dilatin’ on its many virchores, but if there is any heagern about es would defy the components o’ this devilish concoction o’ ancient alchemy let him beware,’ says he.
“His Nibbs no sooner sets his eye on that bottle o’ yaller perdition liquified afore he wants it, an’ licks his lips voracious.
“‘I cyaint endoore that look o’ deep reproach,’ says Chinook Bill; ‘he must have it.’
“‘It ’ud be cruelty to animals not to,’ says I, ‘an’ we ain’t runnin’ no Keely cure, fer a fact. Besides, he’ll resort to physical violence if we don’t hand over the dream maker prompt.’