Page:Caroline Lockhart--The full of the Moon.djvu/253

 "I n-not remember."

"That will do"—the Mexican looked his relief—"but don't go. Sit there. I'll need you again. Mr. McCaffrey."

There was a buzz of surprise when the spectators saw Mr. McCaffrey's red head moving like a flambeau from the back of the room to the stand. Not so much surprise because he was an unexpected witness as because he answered to another name than "Sour-Dough."

"You know this witness, Ospino?" Bob asked, after Mr. McCaffrey had been sworn with much solemnity.

"Better nor a brother," replied Mr. McCaffrey. "Bunked with him for six weeks when we worked with the same survey outfit t'other side of Rincon."

"Why did he leave the surveying party?"

"Canned," Mr. McCaffrey answered briefly.

"Why?"

"Because he et prunes out'n the dish with his fingers every time 'twere passed, and he's near-sighted. Can't see much furderer than