صفحة 216 من 439

"Wasn't it?" There was a softened, almost tender, jeer in her

voice. "Since you only saved our lives!"

"I ain't claiming all that, Miss Arlie."

"Then I'll claim it for you. I suppose you gave yourself up to

them and explained how it was after we left."

"Not exactly that. I managed to slip away, through the sage. It

was mo'ning before I found the road again. Soon as I did, a

deputy tagged me, and said, 'You're mine.' He spoke for me so

prompt and seemed so sure about what he was saying, I didn't

argue the matter with him." He laughed gayly.

"And then?"

"Then he herded me to town, and I was invited to be the county's

guest. Not liking the accommodations, I took the first chance and

flew the coop. They missed a knife in my pocket when they

searched me, and I chipped the cement away from the window bars,

let myself down by the bed linen, and borrowed a cow-pony I found

saddled at the edge of town. So, you see, I'm a hawss thief too,

ma'am."