"Clouding for storm," says I; "the air's a-crackling."
I told him about his son, holed up in gaol with Jim at La Morita.
"I been projecting around thar last night"--the Captain was eating my plug tobacco like bread. "Was it you sent that doctor to Curly's wound?"
He grabbed my paw. "You're white all through," says he; "that kid is all I care for in this world."
"I dropped a crowbar through the window-hole."
"The guards will be full curious when they hear the crowbar thumping."
"That's what's the matter. I sent some Holy Crawss greasers to feed them liquor, games, and music--'specially music."
"Will the Frontier Guards miss the big blood money for the sake of a flirt at skin games?"
"I reckon they'll watch, and the crowbar's going to be heard. So I made a run to see you. Here comes Cranky Joe."
"Here, Captain," says Cranky, offering the cocktail; but the outlaw bored him through with a cool eye.
"My name," says he, "is the Reverend Perkins, and don't you forget. Now you'll send Mutiny here, and you'll stand on guard yourself. If I get captured, a friend of mine is to send your present name and address to the penitentiary, where you're wanted most--so here's to your freedom." He drank, and we watched the man sneak off. "I turned him out of my gang," said the robber, "for being dishonest."
Mutiny strolled in and shook hands. "Old friend," says he, "what can we do to help?"
"Watch Joe, and shoot him up quick if he tries to pass that gate."
So Mutiny pulled his gun. "How's all the boys?" he asked.
"You're honing to come back to being a robber?"
"Cayn't," Mutiny groaned, "I've sure repented and turned smuggler now. Besides, I'm due to get married, so I'm dead tame and gentle, boss. What brought you south?"
"Well, Mutiny, since you want to know, I came down to hold up a train."
"I expaict. It was a carload of birds' teeth, cat feathers, and frawgs' tails; but there's too many inquiry agents around, so I missed the train."
Mutiny had to laugh, but then he sighed. "If anything goes wrong with my girl," says he, "I'll come scratch on yo' door."
"Wall"--the outlaw looked mighty serious--"if she happens to get drowned in the desert--perhaps we'll see you come. Now let's to business. Them kids at La Morita has to be collected, I reckon."