Part 21 (1/2)
”Howdy, Charlie,” he said, without displaying the least concern ”Wal, I don't know Y' see this thing's li'ble to fizzle soal'll stay right here by us I 'low I feel they're safer wi' us Mebbe it's jest a notion If things gits hu over an' share in wi' us Y' see if it's a case of git, we'd likely do better in a party Seth's away jest now”
The old man's quiet assurance was pleasant to the less experienced farmer
There was soundness in his plans too Charlie nodded
”That's good of you Of course, we've got the warning, but we don't kno far things areDo you?”
”Wal, no But I don't think ther's anything to worry over fer a week or two”
”I thought there couldn't be, because I saw your Rosebud riding doard the river as I ca And yet----”
But Rube broke in upon him vehemently
”Goin' to the river?” he cried Then his usual slow movements suddenly became electrical He strode away to the barn, and left Charlie to follow
”What's up?” the latter asked, as he paused in the doorway
”Up? Up? What's up?” The oldraw-boned oin' that aways An' I promised Seth, too I didn't know but what she wus in the kitchen Here, fix that bridle while I get into the house Ha' y' got your gun?”
”Yes; but why?”
”Wal--y' never can figger to these durned Injuns when they're raisin'
trouble”
The old reat mare's bridle He returned aluns
”Say, ken y' spare an hour or so?”
As Charlie looked into the old farmer's face when he made his reply he read the answer to all he would have liked to ask him Rube was consumed with an anxiety that no words, delivered in his slow fashi+on, could have conveyed to any one but Seth
”Certainly, as long as you like”
”Good boy,” said Rube, with an air of relief ”I wouldn't ask you, but it's fer her” And the two
”By-the-way,” said Charlie, drawing his horse up alongside the dun-colored hbor of his told him there were tents on the plains further north I ondering The troops haven't been sent for, have they?”
”Can't say,” said Rube, without much interest Then he asked hastily, ”Which as she headin'?”
The question showed the trend of his whole thought
”Why, straight down”
”Ah, Nevil Steyne's shack”
”He lives that way, doesn't he?”