Part 26 (2/2)

”I'm going to cross--somehow. I'm going to find my wife. As for getting lost, Old Bat is going with me--or rather I'm going with him.”

”Bat! What's he doing here?”

”Found out that the Texan had pulled out and came to get him. He knows Tex better than anyone knows him. He had guessed pretty accurately what was coming off here today, and he rode over to take the Texan back home.”

Colston nodded: ”Go ahead. If Old Bat starts on the trail you'll find your wife.” He laid a hand on Endicott's shoulder, ”and just bear in mind that when you do find her, you'll find her all right! I, too, know the Texan. He's been more like--like a son to me than an employee. The boy's got his faults--but he's a man! Barring the possibility of an accident on the river, you'll find 'em safe an' sound--an', when you do find 'em, mind you bring 'em both back. You're goin' to need Tex.”

Endicott nodded: ”I'll remember,” he said, ”and when we return, you have the papers ready, and we'll close the deal.”

While the barn dogs saddled Endicott's horse, Old Bat led the way to the alley between the livery barn and the saloon, and throwing himself upon his belly, lighted matches and studied certain marks on the ground.

Satisfied at length he regained his feet.

”What are you hunting for?” Endicott asked.

”Hoss tracks. Tex, she ain' got hee's own hoss. Me, A'm wan' know w'at kin' track A'm foller w'en we git 'cross de riv'.”

”How are we going to cross?” asked Endicott as they swung along the trail at a brisk trot.

”We ain' 'cross yet. Firs', we swing down de riv'. We comin' to de ranch. Plent' ranch on dis side along de riv'. We git de boat.”

”But, the horses? We can't take the horses in the boat.”

”We com' w'ere we need de hoss we hont de ranch an' git mor' hoss.”

At the river they halted for a few moments before heading down stream, and Endicott shuddered as he gazed out over the drift-choked surface of the flood. Old Bat devined what was pa.s.sing in his mind.

”De riv', she look lak h.e.l.l w'en you stan' an' see her go pas'. But she ain' so bad she look. W'en de boat git een de wattaire she ron so fas'

lak de res', an' she 'bout de sam' lak she stan' still.”

”Yes--but the boat--the heavy ferry--they couldn't handle her in the water.”

”Dey ain' got for han'l. De riv' she han'l. W'en de boat com' on de plac', w'at you call, de ben'--w'ere de riv' she mak' de turn, de boat she gon git shov' on de bank. Mebbe-so dey don' gon on de bank, w'en de daylight com' some wan see um an' com' in de boat an' tak' um off.”

Bat struck off down the river with Endicott following. After an hour's ride through the darkness they came to a ranch. Bat opened and closed the wire gate and led the way along the winding wagon road to the house, a log affair, nestled in a deep coulee. A dog rushed from the darkness and set up a furious barking, dodging in and out among the legs of the horses in a frenzy of excitement. A light appeared in the window and as the two riders drew up before the door it opened, a man thrust his head out and swore at the dog. When the animal subsided he peered at the hors.e.m.e.n: ”Whut's up?” he growled surlily.

”Have you a boat?” Endicott asked.

”A boat! What the h.e.l.l am I runnin', a cow outfit or a summer resort? A boat! Er mebbe you think I fish fer a livin'? Mebbe I'm runnin' a ferry?

Mebbe I want the hull d.a.m.n country raisin' h.e.l.l around here all night!

No, I hain't got no boat! An' I never had none, an' don't want none!”

The man's senseless anger seemed to increase as though the imputation that he might have owned a boat were in some way an insult. ”What the h.e.l.l would I want of a boat?” his voice rose almost to a scream, and he shook his fist almost in Bat's face.

The old half-breed leaned slightly forward in the saddle: ”W'at de h.e.l.l!

W'at de h.e.l.l! W'at de h.e.l.l you wan' wit de ponch on de nose--but you git wan jes' de sam'!” As he spoke, his fist shot out and landed squarely in the man's face, and as he staggered back into the cabin, the half-breed put spurs to his horse and the two rode swiftly into the dark. ”Dat do um good--mebbe-so nex' tam som' wan com' 'long he ain' stan' an' holler 'W'at de h.e.l.l! W'at de h.e.l.l!' so mooch.”

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