Part 6 (2/2)
sake, loan us some. We haven't had a sc.r.a.p for two days.”
The boys had hard work to restrain a laugh, but the captain hastily unbuckled the flap of his saddle-bags and brought out a huge package of plug tobacco which he pa.s.sed over to the spokesman.
”I brought it along to give to the Indians in case we met any, but I reckon you need it a heap sight worse,” he said mildly.
Without a word of thanks the man tore the package open and distributed the plugs amongst his followers, and in a moment jaws and pipes were going vigorously on the enslaving weed.
In five minutes a change was visible; slouching backs began to straighten, dull eyes commenced to brighten, and the color to steal back into haggard faces.
”I'm glad I never got into the habit of using it, now I have seen what a slave it can make of a strong man,” whispered Walter in disgust.
”Some of our soldier boys in Cuba went crazy for a while when deprived of the use of it,” said Charley. ”None of it for me. It doesn't do a young growing fellow any good.”
As his muscles and nerves relaxed under the influence of the powerful narcotic, the leader of the convicts removed his pipe from his mouth with a sigh of relief.
”You sho' saved our lives that time, partner,” he cried; ”we done forgot the bacca when we wus getting up our supplies, an' didn't find it out until we'd come too far to go back. Jim thar,” (with a glare at the culprit,) ”had a sizeable piece, but he had to go and lose it on the way.”
”Out for a hunt?” inquired the captain politely.
”'Gators. We're just plain, honest 'gator hunters, working powerful hard for a mighty poor living,” declared the ruffian. ”An' you-alls, I reckon one guess will hit it, arter plumes, I allow.”
”We haven't said so,” said Charley quickly.
The ruffian favored him with an appraising leer. ”Don't have to say so,” he drawled, ”if you ain't, what have you-alls got them d.i.n.ky little canoes for, an' if you were after 'gators you'd be packing big rifles 'stead of them fancy guns. You ain't got no call to deny it, for I was aiming to give you a bit of neighborly advice.”
”What is it?” inquired Walter curiously.
”That it ain't no use for you-alls to stop here. The Injuns have got this section combed out clean. You couldn't get enough plumes around here to pay for your bacon. Now, I knows of a tidy little island 'bout twelve miles south of here where there's stacks of the birds. If you start right now you'll hit it before them pesky varmints of redskins find it. I'm telling you in pay for that tobacco. Max Hilliard ain't the kind of man to take nothing without paying for it,” he concluded, grandly.
”Them Indians don't seem to be bringing many plumes into town,” said the captain.
”'Cause why? 'Cause they have to turn the bulk of what they get over to their chiefs for tribute, an' them varmints are getting so foxy they just h.o.a.rds 'em up. They know the price is goin' up right along. Oh, them pesky varmints are getting cunning these days. But come, boys, we must be getting back to camp.”
The reinvigorated gang of cut-throats arose and with awkward, surly thanks stamped away.
Their leader lingered behind for a moment. ”Better pack right up and get out for that island right now, partners,” he advised. ”Thar's a gang of Injins coming down the river day after to-morrow, an' they'll be sure to clean it out.” His voice grew low and menacing. ”Anyway, you fellows want to get out of here afore day after to-morrow.”
Before any of the hunters could question him, he was gone.
”He seems set on our leaving here,” said Walter, anxiously.
”I reckon it was sort of an error of judgment that we didn't tie them fellows up while we had the chance. They was too plum wore out to put up much of a fight,” said the captain, regretfully.
Charley said nothing, but his expression was that of one who after long puzzling has solved a troublesome problem, and has found the solution not that which he desired. The outlaws' statement that there was a party of Indians on their way _from_ the Everglades had given him the key.
CHAPTER VII.
THE QUAGMIRE.
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