"Leave me alone with a rope an' a saddle,
Fold my spurs under my haid!
Give me a can of them sweet, yaller peaches,
'Cause why? My true-love is daid!"
"Oh, give us something cheerful!" laughed Bud, as the cowboy seemed about to start on another verse.
"That's cheerful enough for this occasion," retorted Yellin' Kid. "Wait 'till you hear me howl in that tunnel."
"Don't!" begged Dick with a laugh. "It echoes so you'll bring the roof down!"
There was a hurried inspection of their weapons and supplies, for each was equally needed. The inner tubes of several auto tires had been provided and tested, and there was a small air pump with which to inflate them.
"All ready?" asked Bud, at length.
"All ready," answered Old Billee. "But I wish I had a hoss!"
"Couldn't use one," retorted Snake Purdee. "It'll work off some of the fat, if you walk."
"Hu! Fat!" snorted Old Billee. "I ain't fat!"
"Forward!" suddenly called Bud.