e's been seen caucusin' with Missis Rucker an' Doc Peets. Most
likely one of 'em would be able to shed a ray on Dave. By a excellent
coincidence, an' as if to he'p us out, Peets comes in as Texas Thompson
su'gests that mebby the Doc's qualified to onravel the myst'ry.

"'Tell you-all folks what's the matter with Dave?' says Peets. 'Pards,
it's simply not in the deck. Meanin' no disrespects--for you gents
knows me too well to dream of me harborin' anything but feelin's of the
highest regyards for one an' all--I'll have to leave you camped in
original darkness. It would be breakin' professional confidences.
Shore, I saveys Dave's troubles an' the causes of these vagaries of
his; jest the same the traditions of the medical game forces me to hold
'em sacred an' secret.'

"'Tell us at least, Doc,' says Enright, 'whether Dave's likely to grow
voylent. If he is, it's only proper that we arranges to tie him down.'

"'Dave may be boisterous later,' says Peets, an' his reply comes slow
an' thoughtful, like he's considerin'; 'he may make a joyful uproar,
but he won't wax dangerous.' This yere's as far as Peets'll go; he
declines to talk longer, on professional grounds.

"'Which suspense, this a-way,' says Boggs, after Peets is gone, 'an' us
no wiser than when he shows in the door, makes me desp'rate. I'll
offer the motion: Let's prance over in a bunch, an' demand a
explanation of Missis Rucker. Dave's been talkin' to her as much as
ever he has to Peets, an' thar's no professional hobbles on the lady;
she's footloose, an' free to speak.'

"'We waits on you, Marm,' says Enright, when ten minutes later Boggs,
Cherokee, Texas Thompson an' he is in the kitchen of the O. K.
Restauraw where Missis Rucker is slicin' salt hoss an' layin' the
fragrant foundations of supper; 'we waits on you-all to ask your
advice. Dave Tutt's been carryin' on in a manner an' form at once
doobious an' threatenin'. It ain't too much to say that we-all fears
the worst. We comes now to invite you to tell us all you knows of Dave
an' whatever it is that so onsettles him. Our idee is that you
onderstands a heap about it.'

"'See yere, Sam Enright,' retorts Missis Rucker, pausin' over the salt
hoss, 'you ain't doin' yourse'f proud. You better round up this herd
of inebriates an' get 'em back to the Red Light. Thar's nothin' the
matter with Dave; leastwise if it was the matter with you, you'd be
some improved. Dave Tutt's a credit to this camp