"Laddy, before it's too late can't I get the whites away from the
border?"
"Mebbe it ain't too late; but where can we take them?"
"To San Felipe?"
"No. We've more chance to hold them here."
"To Casita and the railroad?"
"Afraid to risk gettin' there. An' the town's full of rebels who
need hosses."
"Then straight north?"
"Shore man, you're crazy. Ther's no water, no grass for a hundred
miles. I'll tell you, Tom, the safest plan would be to take the
white bunch south into Sonora, into some wild mountain valley.
Keep them there till the raiders have traveled on back east. Pretty
soon there won't be any rich pickin' left for these Greasers. An'
then they'll ride on to new ranges."
"Laddy, I don't know the trails into Sonora. An' I can't trust a
Mexican or a Papago. Between you and me, I'm afraid of this
Indian who herds for me."
"I reckon we'd better stick here, Tom....Dick, it's some good to
see you again. But you seem kinda quiet. Shore you get quieter
all the time. Did you see any sign of Jim out Sonoyta way?"
Then Belding led the lame horse toward the watering-trough,
while the two rangers went toward the house, Dick was telling
Ladd about the affair at Papago Well when they turned the corner
under the porch. Nell was sitting in the door. She rose with a
little scream and came flying toward them.
"Now I'll get it," whispered Ladd. "The women'll make a baby of
me. An' shore I can't help myself.
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