Page:Edward Ellis--Alden the Pony Express Rider.djvu/150

 be glad to welcome you at any other time. You belong to the company that has gone into camp a little way from here?”

“Yes; we have been in sight of each other for several days; had the situation become threatening because of Indians, I should have proposed that we unite, but everything seems to be peaceful.”

“Have you had no trouble with them?”

“None whatever, though we have seen many parties at a distance.”

“We were attacked one night some weeks ago along the Platte, but drove them off without harm to us.”

“How was it with them?” asked the man significantly.

“We got several who were too venturesome.”

Jethro could not restrain himself any longer.

“Yas, and de fust warmint dat got soaked, he done it—suah as you’s born!”

“I congratulate you on your success; doubtless it had much to do with repulsing your enemies.”

“Jethro told you the incident so as to force me to say that he picked off another of the redskins. Incredible as it may sound, it is true.”