"Oh, you don't get off for three hours yet," laughed the brakeman.
"That 's shore a long time to ride this bronc train," moodily complained Red as the singing began again. "She shore pitches a-plenty," he added.
The train-hand smiled and seated himself on the arm of the front seat:
"Oh, it might be worse."
"Not this side of hades," replied Red with decision, watching his friend, who was slapping the cushions to see the dust fly out: "Hey, let up on that, will you! There's dust a-plenty without no help from you!"
The brakeman glanced at the card-players and then at Hopalong.
"Do your friends always sing like that?" he inquired.
"Mostly, but sometimes it's worse."
"On the level?"
"Shore enough; they 're singing 'Dixie,' now. It 's their best song."
"That ain't 'Dixie!'"
