Page:Edward Ellis--Alden the Pony Express Rider.djvu/332

 “Of course not; he was afraid you would make him stay here till I could see him.”

Cal swung one of his sinewy legs over the other knee, struck a fly crawling several feet away, with a well aimed volley of discolored spittle, and said:

“No; I don’t think it was that; you must remember he was eager to wake you up when he first come to quarters.”

“I’m sorry you didn’t let him do so.”

“So am I, seeing how you feel. What’s your quarrel with him? I liked the fellow first rate, what little I seen of him.”

Alden told of the interrupted fray in St. Joe, when Brandley bumped into him, and instead of apologizing, added insulting words.

“Can’t say that I blame you for being r’iled, but I should like to ask a favor of you.”

“What is it?”

“When that fight comes off, fix things so I can observe it. I know it’ll be a hummer.”

Alden could not help smiling.

“I’m sure I have no objection, but I don’t see much chance of obliging you. He has left here and isn’t likely to come back.”

“But I can fix things so as to ride to the next station when the mail comes in from the east.”