A WALKING DELEGATE
"Not fer long," said the yellow horse, with a snap of his teeth.
"Spilled her?"
"I heerd she never drove again."
"Any childern?"
"Buckboards full of 'em."
"Men too?"
"I have shed conside'ble men in my time."
"By kickin'?"
"Any way that come along. Fallin' back over the dash is as handy as most."
"They must be turr'ble afraid o' you daown-taown?"
"They 've sent me here to get rid o' me. I guess they spend their time talkin' over my campaigns."
"I wanter know!"
"Yes, sir. Now, all you gentlemen have asked me what I can do. I 'll just show you. See them two fellers lyin' down by the buggy?"
"Yep; one of 'em owns me. T' other broke me," said Rod.
"Get 'em out here in the open, an' I 'll show you something. Lemme hide back o' you peoples, so 's they won't see what I 'm at."
"Meanin' ter kill 'em?" Rod drawled. There was a shudder of horror through the others; but the yellow horse never noticed.
"I 'll catch 'em by the back o' the neck, an' pile-drive 'em a piece. They can suit 'emselves about livin' when I 'm through with 'em."
"Should n't wonder ef they did," said Rod.
The yellow horse had hidden himself very cleverly
[71]
