“He won’t never git close enough,” chuckled Dan. “That bird ain’t never goin’ t’ light close to any of us.”
Joe held out his hand to Lonnie, who gripped it quickly.
“So-long, Lonnie,” said Joe. “Be good to yourself.”
“Aw-right, Joe.”
Joe shook hands with Dan and Nebrasky, who did it in a dumb sort of a way. Perhaps they did not understand that Joe was leaving Tumbling River. Joe turned to his horse and started to mount. Merrick and Kelsey were close now, and Kelsey said to Joe—
“You ain’t leavin’ us, are yuh, Joe?”
Joe nodded.
“Yeah, I’m goin’, Len.”
“Uh-huh. Mebbe yuh better wait a little while, Joe. Somethin’ has come up just lately. Better tie yore horse and wait till we get this ironed out.”
“What do yuh mean, Len?”