Page:Caroline Lockhart--The full of the Moon.djvu/179



, the freighter, now shoulder to shoulder, with his passenger, bellowed:

"Git!"

They stepped inside and cleared the doorway for the exit of the Mexicans, who, in obedience to the familiar voice, flung down their guns and fled upon each other's heels like a band of frightened sheep.

Through the settling dust the Americans looked into one another's faces, grinning foolishly.

"I feel like a feller what's been treed by a pole-kitty, or some such dangerous varmint. Serves us right for gittin' careless." Mossy Green picked up Señor Apedaca's crushed derby and poked it into shape with his fist as he made the shame-faced admission. Ben Evans, with a mixture of feelings, was watching the stranger make his way among the overturned benches to Nan's side. She met him with an outstretched hand. 167