Part 4 (2/2)
My Lady was ensconced.
”Did they get him?” she inquired, when I paused.
”By the scruff of the neck. The drunken fellow, you mean.”
”Yes; Jim.”
”You know him?”
”He's from Benton. I suppose he's been down here on a little pasear, as they say.”
”If you think he'll annoy you----?” I made bold to suggest, for I greatly coveted the half of her seat.
”Oh, I'm not afraid of Jim. But yes, do sit down. You can put these things back in your seat. Then we can talk.”
I had no more than settled triumphantly, when the brakeman ambled through, his face in a broad grin. He also paused, to perch upon the seat end, his arm extended friendlily along the back.
”Well, we got him corralled,” he proclaimed needlessly. ”That t'rantular juice nigh broke his neck for him.”
”Did you take his bottle away, Jerry?” she asked.
”Sure thing. He'll be peaceable directly. Soused to the guards. Reckon he's inclined to be a trifle ugly when he's on a tear, ain't he? They'd s.h.i.+pped him out of Benton on a down train. Now he's going back up.”
”He's safe, you think?”
”Sewed tight. He'll sleep it off and be ready for night.” The brakeman winked at her. ”You needn't fear. He'll be on deck, right side up with care.”
”I've told this gentleman that I'm not afraid,” she answered quickly.
”Of course. And he knows what's best for him, himself.” The brakeman slapped me on the shoulder and good-naturedly straightened. ”So does this young gentleman, I rather suspicion. I can see his fortune's made. You bet, if he works it right. I told him if you cottoned to him----”
”Now you're talking too much, Jerry,” she reproved. ”The gentleman and I are only traveling acquaintances.”
”Yes, ma'am. To Benton. Let 'er roar. Cheyenne's the closest I can get, myself, and Cheyenne's a dead one--blowed up, busted worse'n a galvanized Yank with a pocket full o' Confed wall-paper.” He yawned. ”Guess I'll take forty winks. Was up all night, and a man can stand jest so much, Injuns or no Injuns.”
”Did you expect to meet with Indians, sir, along the route?” I asked.
”h.e.l.l, yes. Always expect to meet 'em between Kearney and Julesburg. It's about time they were wrecking another train. Well, so long. Be good to each other.” With this parting piece of impertinence he stumped out.
”A friendly individual, evidently,” I hazarded, to tide her over her possible embarra.s.sment.
Her laugh a.s.sured me that she was not embarra.s.sed at all, which proved her good sense and elevated her even farther in my esteem.
”Oh, Jerry's all right. I don't mind Jerry, except that his tongue is hung in the middle. He probably has been telling you some tall yarns?”
”He? No, I don't think so. He may have tried it, but his Western expressions are beyond me as yet. In fact, what he was driving at on the rear platform I haven't the slightest idea.”
”Driving at? In what way, sir?”
<script>