“Got to be careful now,” warned Hashknife. “Don’t talk.”
“I wish I knowed what it’s all about,” whispered Slim.
“Yuh won’t know,” replied Sleepy. “After it’s all over, he’ll tell yuh—and you’ll wonder why yuh didn’t think of it before.”
“Don’t talk,” warned Hashknife.
Hashknife remembered that just before reaching the ranch-gate there was a culvert about four feet wide. As soon as they crossed it, he drew up his horse.
“You stay here, Sleepy,” he said. “Block the road with yore horse, and don’t let anybody get past yuh.”
“Not anybody?” asked Sleepy.
“Not a dam’ body!”
“Suits me fine. And you better talk nice when yuh come back, long-fellow. Good luck.”
Hashknife and Slim disappeared in the darkness, leading their horses. Hashknife led the way around the fence and came in beside the corrals, where they tied their horses.