Behind the safe protection of the low-growing cedars the three men
walked slowly toward the cabin of the "Little Yankee," seemingly
utterly oblivious to any danger lurking behind. As they thus advanced
Winston related briefly his discoveries in the lower levels of the
"Independence," referring to his personal adventures merely as the
needs of the simple narrative required. Brown, his rifle at trail, his
boyish face sober with thought, indulged in no outward comment, but
Hicks burst forth with words of fervent commendation.
"By cracky, are yer shore that was Farnham yer hit?" he exclaimed, his
old eyes gleaming in appreciation. "Blame me, Stutter, what do yer
think o' that? Punched him afore he cud even pull his gun; never heerd
o' no sich miracle afore in this yere camp. Why, Lord, that fellar 's
quicker 'n chain-lightnin'; I 've seen him onlimber more 'n once."
"I-I reckon h-h-he won't be v-very likely ter l-let up on yer now,
M-m-mister W-Winston," put in the young giant cautiously. "H-he ain't
ther kind t-ter fergit no sich d-d-deal."
"Him let up!--hell!" and Hicks stopped suddenly, and stared behind.
"He 'll never let up on nothin', that fellar. He 'll be down after us
all right, as soon as he gits his second wind, an' Winston here is
a-goin' ter git plugged for this night's shindy, if Farnham ever fair
gits the drop on him. He ain't got no more mercy 'n a tiger. Yer kin
gamble on that, boys. He 'll git ther whole parcel o' us if he kin,
'cause he knows now his little game is up if he does n't; but he 'll
aim ter git Winston, anyhow. Did ye make any tracin's while yer was
down thar?"
"Yes, I've got the plans in detail; my distances may not be exactly
correct, but they are approximately, and I would be willing to go on
the stand with them."
"Good boy! That means we 've shore got 'em on the hip. They're
a-keepin' quiet over there yet, ain't they, Stutter? Well, let 's have
our chuck out yere in the open, whar' we kin keep our eyes peeled, an'
while we 're eatin' we 'll talk over what we better do next."
The kitchen of the "Little Yankee" was situated out of doors, a small
rift in the face of the bluff forming a natural fireplace, while a
narrow crevice between rocks acted as chimney, and carried away the
smoke. The preparation of an ordinary meal under such primitive
conditions was speedily accomplished, the menu not being elaborate nor
the service luxurious. Winston barely found time in which to wash the
grime from his hands and face, and hastily shift out of his ragged
working clothes to the suit originally worn, when Hicks announced the
spread ready, and advised a lively falling to. The dining-room was a
large, flat stone on the very edge of the bluff, sufficiently elevated
to command a practically unobstructed view of the distant shaft-house
of the "Independence." Hicks brought from the cabin an extra rifle,
with belt filled with ammunition, which he gravely held out to the
engineer.