from me thot time, eh? But you don' run away
again -- bet you' life! I got you now and I keep
you thees time! I haf work for you -- you black
devil -- mooch work! You coom along now!"

They led the horse into the stable, down past
the stalls, and out the back door. Then they set
out toward the river trail, and, with many furtive
glances toward the house, gained it without
interruption. Felipe's lumber rigging and team
of scrawny horses stood in the shade of a cottonwood,
and Franke made the horse fast to the out-
hanging end of the reach. When he was secure
both men seated themselves just back of the forward
bolster, one behind the other, and Felipe
sent his horses forward. Safely out of the danger
zone, though Felipe entertained but little fear of
the consequences of this act, believing that he
could easily prove his ownership, he became more
elated with his success and burst out into garrulous
speech.

"You know, Franke," he began, with a backward
glance at the horse ambling along peacefully
in the dust, "thot _caballo_ he's strong lak a ox.
He's makin' a fine horse -- a _fine_ horse -- in thees
wagon! He's--" He suddenly interrupted himself.
"Franke," he offered, generously, "for thees
help I'm takin' off five dolars on thot debt now.
You know? You haf never pay me thot bet -- thee
big bet -- thee one on thee wagon and thee
horses. And you haf steal seex dolars, too! But
I'm forgettin' thot, now, too. All right?"

The other nodded grateful acceptance. Then,

[[90]]

p089 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p090w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p091

v?