"I don't guess we were seen," said Tip. "We kind of took care not to be.
"How long do you count on boardin' me, Sam?"
"Just a li'l while," was the reply.
"No longer than is necessary," slipped in Tip, with emphasis on the last word.
"Necessary, huh. Necessary. I suppose you fellers think you'll be able to get Dan Slike off by kidnappin' me. You forget there's Riley Tyler."
"We know there's Riley Tyler," said Tip, "like we know Riley and Shotgun went to Hillsville yesterday and won't be back for three-four days. And about Dan Slike we don't care three whoops in hell. To tell you the truth, Bill, I'm surprised you don't know us better than that. We three didn't have any hand in that Walton business."
"I didn't really think you did," said Billy frankly, "but knowing how you and Tuckleton——"
"No, no, Bill," interrupted Tip hastily, "don't go fussin' about Rafe. That's a cat with another tail entirely. Your business right now this minute is with us. Our business is with you. Here we are. Here's you."
But Billy was apparently paying no further attention to Tip's words. He was looking at the ceiling. He was smiling. He chuckled.
"Do you know," he said, glancing sidewise at Tip, "when I was a kid, I often wondered how it would feel to be kidnapped. I had a idea it would be romantic sort of. But it ain't, not a mite. I feel like I'd been on a tear—head, y'understand, and mouth all furry and thirsty! Where's that pitcher? Oh, I can sit up all right."