rt! Think I got nothing
to do but hang on here by my eyelashes and argue with you? One more
break like that and down goes your meat house--infernal fool! Listen!
There's a mining shaft right over here--windlass with a ratchet wheel
and a pawl. I can hook that windlass rope on these bars and yank 'em
out in a jiffy. If the bars are too stubborn I'll strain the rope
tight as ever I can and then pour water on it. That'll fetch 'em;
won't make much noise, either, I judge. Not now--your jailer man will
be calling you to supper in a minute. Maybe we'd better wait till he
goes to sleep--or will he lock you up? Fellow, what you want to do is
go. You can make Old Mexico to-morrow. I'll side you if you say so.
I've got nothing to keep me here."

"Now ain't that too bad--and I always wanted to go to Mexico, too,"
said Johnny wistfully. "But I reckon I can't make it this riffle. You
see, this old rooster has treated me pretty white--not locked me up,
and everything. I wouldn't like to take advantage of it. Come to think
of it, I told him I wouldn't."

"Well, say!" Charlie stopped, at loss for words. "I get your idea--but
man, they'll hang you!"

"I'm sorry for that, too," said Johnny regretfully. "But you see how
it is. I haven't any choice. Much obliged, just the same." Then his
face brightened. "Wait! Wait a minute. Let me think. Look now--if
Gwinne locks me up in a cell, bimeby--why, you might come round and
have another try, later on. That will be different."

"I'll go you once on that," returned the rescuer eagerly. "Which is
your cell?"

"Why, under the circumstances it wouldn't be just right to tell
you--would it, now?" said the prisoner, doubtfully. "I reckon you'll
have to project round and find that out for yourself."

"Huh!" snorted Charlie See.

"Of course if I make a get-away it looks bad--like admitting the
murder. On the other hand, if I'm hanged, my friends would always hate
it. So there we are. On the whole, I judge it would be best to go.
Say, Gwinne'll be calling me to chuck. Reckon I better beat him to it.
You run on, now, and roll your hoop. I'll be thinking it over.
G'night!"

His face disappeared from the embrasure. Charlie See retired
Indian-fashion to the nearest cover, straightened up, and wandered
discontentedly down the hill to Hillsboro's great white way.

XI

"We retired to a strategic position prepared in advance."
--_Communiques of the Crown Prince._