ed at her in
a way she would remember to the end of her days, and hastened on to
report to the captain of the caravan. When he reached Woodson he found
Hank there before him, laughingly recounting the fight. As Tom came up
Hank stepped back and slipped away, heading straight for the excited
group of tenderfeet at the other end of the encampment, and roughly
pushed in among them.

"Look hyar, ye sick pups," he blurted. "My pardner dassn't thrash any o'
ye, or he'll mebby lose his gal. Anybody hyar wantin' ter take advantage
o' an old man? Huh! Then open yer dumb ears ter this: If I ketch airy
one o' ye hangin' 'round Cooper's waggins, or even sayin' 'how-de-do'
to that gal, I'll git ye if I has ter chase ye all the way back ter
Missoury!" He spat at the doctor's feet, turned his back and rambled
over to where his trade goods were piled. On the way he met Zeb, who
scowled at him.

Hank pulled some black mops out of his pocket, showed them, and shoved
them back again.

"Hell!" said Zeb, enviously. "Whar ye git 'em?"

"Found one on a currant bush," chuckled Hank, and went on again.

Zeb placed his fists on his hips and scowled in earnest. "I didn't know
what that shootin' war, with all th' hunters runnin' 'round. Dang him!
He allus _did_ have more luck ner brains!"

Up at the captain's wagon Woodson nodded as his companion finished
speaking. "I reckon ye kin have 'most anythin' in this hyar camp, Boyd.
Two bars o' lead off'n th' cannon carriages, an' a keg o' powder? Shore,
I'll put th' powder in Cooper's little waggin, an' ye kin help yerself
ter th' lead when ye git th' time."

CHAPTER XVI

THE PASSING OF PEDRO

After supper that night Hank and Tom sat around their fire and soon were
joined by Pedro, who paid them effusive compliments about their defeat
of the Arapahoes. They squirmed under his heavy flattery and finally, in
desperation, spoke of the secret trail to Taos. His face beamed in the
firelight and he leaned eagerly forward.

"You have decide?" he asked.

"Yes," answered Tom. "Whar we goin' ter meet, and what time?"

"Ah?" breathed Pedro. "To that have I geeve _mucho_ thought. Eet should
be ear-rly, so we be far away by thee coming of thee sun. Ees eet not
so?"

"Naw," growled Hank. "Folks air not sleepin' sound enough then. Nobody's
goin' ter foller us. Thar'll be lots o' 'em leavin' camp at night from
now on, tryin' ter beat each other ter th' customs fellers. Two hours
afore dawn is