Page:Hell-Bent fer Heaven (Hughes 1924).pdf/143

Rh

[Chants derisively]

If I git thar afore you do I’ll tell ’em you’re a-comin’ too!

[Looks at him understandingly]

Hmn!

[He seats himself, his gun across his knees, ready for quick action.]

[Gazes at defiantly till the silence begins to get on his nerves]

Well, ole Rooster! Whyn’t you say sompen? How’s your whiskers?

They’re ’bout as common, Andy. How’s everything ’ith you?

Fine as a fiddle. I never felt better in my life.

You’re a-lookin’ well.

That’s more ’n I can say fer you. [Laughs.] Do you know what you look like, a-settin’ thar ’ith that ole lock, stock an’ bar’! that you call a gun?