Page:Allan Dunn--Dead Man's Gold.djvu/245

Rh Furniss. He coughed twice before they noticed him and turned to see him with his arm about Peggy's waist.

"'Arvey dozed off, very convenient," he said with a grin, "So Peggy and me 'ad a charnce to come to an hunderstanding. I hain't quite sure it's all true, myself, but Peggy sez it is. Seems to be catchin', but you 'ad the start of hus. Hanyfing doin'?"

"I'm hoping they'll stick around and get caught in a trap themselves when the posse shows up," answered Stone. "Except that I would like to pay my own respects to Healy and Padilla."

"Leave 'Ealy for me, won't yer? I hain't bin hable to think hup the right sort of wind-hup for 'im but I 'ope 'e'll git it. 'Ow about some grub? Peggy says the girls didn't 'ave much breakfast."

"I want to keep tab on the horses," said Stone. "I can cover their hollow from here. Poor devils, they'll have to go shy on food but I'll get some water down to them."

"Peggy and me'll get the water," said Larkin. "We wouldn't disturb you for the world. Better shift hover w'en the sun comes your w'y. And we'll git the grub. So long, I want to show Peggy the Mint."

Padilla and his men did not appear. Stone figured that Healy had gone around the butte and joined them. They were perfectly safe in their eyrie until dark. If the posse did not come before then they could easily guard the ladder by moonlight. But the band might manage to steal the horses and burros.