A hoarse laugh, faint yet distinct,
floated up on the cool wind.
"Well, Laddy, what're you makin' of that outfit?" inquired Lash,
speaking softly.
"Same as any of them raider outfits," replied Ladd. "They're
across the line for beef. But they'll run off any good stock. As
hoss thieves these rebels have got 'em all beat. That outfit is
waitin' till it's late. There's a ranch up the arroyo."
Gale heard the first speaker curse under his breath.
"Sure, I feel the same," said Ladd. "But we've got a girl an'
the young man to look after, not to mention our pack outfit.
An' we're huntin' for a job, not a fight, old hoss. Keep on your chaps!"
"Nothin' to it but head south for the Rio Forlorn."
"You're talkin' sense now, Jim. I wish we'd headed that way long
ago. But it ain't strange I'd want to travel away from the border,
thinkin' of the girl. Jim, we can't go round this Greaser outfit
an' strike the road again. Too rough. So we'll have to give up
gettin' to San Felipe."
"Perhaps it's just as well, Laddy. Rio Forlorn is on the border
line, but it's country where these rebels ain't been yet."
"Wait till they learn of the oasis an' Beldin's hosses!" exclaimed
Laddy. "I'm not anticipatin' peace anywhere along the border,
Jim. But we can't go ahead; we can't go back."
"What'll we do, Laddy? It's a hike to Beldin's ranch. An' if we
get there in daylight some Greaser will see the girl before Beldin'
can hide her.
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