Page:Morley roberts--Painted Rock.djvu/273

 bring him or a part of him, or perish. Go!"

And George went. He wondered if he had seen anything after all. It seemed as if he had, and yet he wasn't sure. But what a terror Bill was!

"Pore little Amandy looked some scared," said George, as he rode north-west. "I'm a'most sorry I spoke. Perhaps thess cowboy will be some down on me for takin' a hand in merrying him by force. But now I cayn't help myself. Bill ez that mad he'd chase me to the Pacific if I don't help his notion. I'll hev to fetch Brother Brandram."

And in an hour and a half he found the Williams' ranch. He inquired for Brother Brandram, and a portly gentleman in black came out.

"You desire to see me, sir?" said the minister.

"I dew," said George. "Would you oblige me and my brother Bill Higginson by kemmin' over to our raynch, ten miles south-east o' this spot, to see someone in imminent danger of immediate decease?"