"I misdoubt what may be
happenin' while I'm gone."
"Don't look at me like that," said his mother. "Why, Buck, a body
would think that if he dies while you're gone you'll accuse your
father an' mother of murder."
"Don't be no minute away from him," urged Buck, "that's all I ask."
"Cure his brain," said his mother monotonously, "an' his body'll take
care of itself. Who's that talkin' with your dad outside?"
Very faintly they caught the sound of voices, and after a moment the
departing clatter of a galloping horse. Old Sam ran into the house
breathless.
"Who was it? What's the matter, pa?" asked his wife, for the old
cowpuncher's face was pale even through his tan.
"Young Seaton was jest here. He an' a hundred other fellers is combin'
the range an' warnin' everyone agin that Dan Barry. The bullet in his
shoulder--he got it while he was breaking jail with Lee Haines. An' he
shot down the hosses of two men an' his dog pulled down a third one."
"Busted jail with Lee Haines!" breathed Buck. "It ain't no ways
nacheral. Which Dan hates Lee Haines!"
"He was bought off by Jim Silent," said old Sam. "They opened a letter
in Elkhead, an' the letter told everything.
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