Part 6 (2/2)
”What!” roared the old trapper ”Do you 'in?”
”Three of 'e fellow named Potts I think Potts comes from Denver”
”I know him His father was Ike Potts, the card-sharp Thet blood is about as bad as any in the gang What are they up to?”
”They are laying a trap for the quarterh with the soldiers' money Joe heard part of their talk by accident Do you knohen the quartermaster is expected?”
”I do not Ye see, ever since old Cap'n Bissile was held up the army officers keep mum about the movements of the cash-box I reckon they have orders froton to do it”
”I want to warn Colonel Fairfield as soon as I can,” went on the old scout
”Yes, he ought to be warned”
”Can you lend me a fresh hoss?”
”I can”
”Then I'll be off as soon as I've had a bit of supper The boys can stay with you all night, can't they?”
”They can, an' welco to leave us?” queried Joe
”Don't see any other way to do, lad The sooner I get the news to the fort the better I'll co after you--or send your brother or somebody else”
”We can ride it alone, can't we?” questioned Darry
”I wouldn't try it, if I were you The trail is a rough one, and there are several forks where you o astray”
”Better stay with me, lads,” put in Leeson ”I'll treat ye well, never fear,” and he smiled broadly
”Thank you,” returned Joe ”I was only thinking I'd like to see my brother soon, that's all”
”A few hours more or less won't make much difference,” said Darry He had looked around the trapper's cabin, and was interested ”Let us wait” And so it was arranged
It did not take long to get a bit of supper, and in less than half an hour Sam Benson was off, astride of a powerful steed which had been Hank Leeson's pride for years
”Jest tell hio to the fort,” said Leeson, ”and he'll carry ye thar with his eyes shet,” and he gave a parting salute to the old scout
The cabin was a pris, with the chinks filled with dried clay It contained two rooms, each about twelve feet square
Back of the cabin was a lean-to where Leeson kept his horses, two in number There was room for more animals, so the beasts ridden by our friends were easily accoht had fallen by the time the horses had been rubbed down and fed and the boys had finished their evening repast, and it was dark when they gathered around the doorstep to rest Hank Leeson sat on a chopping-block, cleaning his rifle and s at the same time, and as the three rested Joe told of his adventure in the cave, and Darry took up the tale of the bear
”You had a lucky escape, lad,” said the trapper ”A lucky escape, an' no error Like as not theht ye”