Part 103 (1/2)
Near the upper dam he had another encounter. The dust of some one approaching warned him some time before the traveller came in sight.
Oldham reined back his horse until he could see who it was; then he spurred forward to meet Saleratus Bill.
The gun-man was lounging along at peace with all the world, his bridle rein loose, his leg slung over the pommel of his saddle. At the sight of his employer, he grinned cheerfully.
Oldham rode directly to him.
”Why aren't you attending to your job?” he demanded icily.
”Out of a job,” said Saleratus Bill cheerfully.
”Why haven't you kept your man in charge?”
”I did until he just naturally had one of those unavoidable accidents.”
”Explain yourself.”
”Well. I ain't never been afraid of words. He's dead; that's what.”
”Indeed,” said Oldham, ”Then I suppose I met his ghost just now; and that a spirit gave me this cut lip.”
Saleratus Bill swung his leg from the saddle horn and straightened to attention.
”Did he have a hat on?” he demanded keenly.
”Yes--no--I believe not. No, I'm sure he didn't.”
”It's him, all right.” He shook his head reflectively, ”I can't figure it.”
Oldham was staring at him with deadly coldness.
”Perhaps you'll be good enough to explain,” he sneered--”five hundred dollars worth at any rate.”
Saleratus Bill detailed what he knew of the whole affair. Oldham listened to the end. His cynical expression did not change; and the unlighted cigar that he held between his swollen lips never changed its angle.
”And so he just nat'rally disappeared,” Saleratus Bill ended his recital. ”I can't figure it out.”
Then Oldham spat forth the cigar. His calm utterly deserted him. He thrust his livid countenance out at his man.
”Figure it out!” he cried. ”You pin-headed fool! You had an unarmed man tied hand and foot, in a three-thousand-foot hole, and you couldn't keep him! And one of the smallest interests involved is worth more than everything your worthless hide can hold! I picked you out for this job because I thought you reliable. And now you come to me with 'I can't figure it out!' That's all the explanation or excuse you bring! You miserable, worthless cur!”
Saleratus Bill was looking at him steadily from his evil, red-rimmed eyes.
”Hold on,” he drawled. ”Go slow. I don't stand such talk.”
Oldham spurred up close to him.
”Don't you try any of your gun-play or intimidation on me,” he fairly shouted. ”I won't stand for it. You'll hear what I've got to say, just as long as I choose to say it.”