Part 4 (1/2)
”No, no, no, senor!” cried Juan, hastily moving away from Professor Zepplin.
”Very well; any time when you feel a longing for strong drink, just help yourself to the hot drops,” said the Professor, striding away to his tent, medicine case in hand.
The guide, a much chastened man, set about a.s.sisting in getting the evening meal, but the hot drops still remained with him, making their presence known by occasional hot twinges.
Supper that night was an enjoyable affair, though it was observed that the guide did not eat heartily.
”Do you think he really had a pain?” asked Walter confidentially, leaning toward Ned.
”Pain? No. He wanted something else.”
”And he got it,” added Stacy, nodding solemnly.
A chorus of ”he dids” ran around the table, stopping only when they reached Juan himself.
CHAPTER III
INDIANS!
”Juan, did you see two men get off the train at Bluewater yesterday when we did? One of them had a big, broad sombrero like mine?” asked Tad, riding up beside the guide next day while they were crossing the range.
”Si.”
”Know them?”
”Si,” he replied, holding up one finger.
”You mean you know one of them?”
The guide nodded.
”Who is he?”
”Senor Lasar.”
”Lasar. What's his other name?”
”Juan not know.”
”Did they stop in the village?”
”No. Senors get ponies, ride over mountain,” and the guide pointed lazily to the south-west.
”Where did they go? Do you know?”
Juan shrugged his shoulders, indicating that he did not.
”What is Mr. Lasar's business?”