‘A-a-aw, don’t brag; yuh make my head ache.’
‘Where’s Joe now?’ asked Hashknife.
‘Gone out to the Flyin’ M. Dave Morgan hired him, and sent him right out to the ranch. Dave needs men pretty bad. He even offered to take us back ag’in, didn’t he, Bert?’
‘Shore did. And you tell ’em what I told him, Spike.’
‘Aw, it wasn’t so damn smart. We need the job.’
‘Not for that sidewinder. He jist the same as accused us of openin’ the safe at the 6X6. I may be a thief, but I don’t like to have it told before my friends.’
‘That’s right; he did insult us, Bert. I’m glad yuh said what yuh did to him. But’—he turned to Lem—‘ what are yuh doin’ toward findin’ the lost folks?’
‘Not a thing—yet.’
They all walked over to the Oasis, where they found Dave Morgan and several more men.
‘What’s the latest news?’ asked Morgan.