‘It’s too damn lonesome out there,’ he told Morgan. ‘You didn’t tell me that all the rest of the gang had left.’
‘I did, too,’ said Morgan. ‘Mebby you was too drunk to pay any attention.’
‘Mebby,’ grinned Joe sourly. ‘Gimme whiskey.’
‘Whatsa matter?’ asked Spike, watching Joe gulp down a glass of liquor. ‘Is yore swallerin’ apparatus busted? I’ll leave it to anybody around here if Joe’s Adam’s-apple didn’t jump sideways to let that drink jump past.’
‘His Adam’s-apple ain’t so damn dumb,’ said Bert Roddy solemnly. ‘It knows what it means to git in front of a runaway drink of Oasis liquor. Sleepy Stevens says the only safe way is to drink quick and shut your mouth. He says that kinda whiskey bounces.’
‘Where’s Sleepy?’ asked a cowboy.
‘Him and Lem pulled out about an hour ago.’
‘What was Lem doin’ here?’ asked Joe Cave.
‘Prob’ly lookin’ for you,’ grinned Spike. ‘He shore did look sad. Mebby he mourns his loss.’
‘I s’pose he does,’ grinned Joe. ‘That’s a hell of a job, packin’ food to a prisoner. I’m glad I quit.’