human
I am glad to see you, Andrew,
gpt
Are you?
human
Won't you shake?
gpt
No. You have made a mistake. I am not Andrew Barkswell.
human
Not Andrew Barkswell?
gpt
No.
human
Who then?
gpt
My name is August Bordine.
human
Lord, is that so? cried Jounce with a grin.
gpt
Didn't you just come from the man I knifed down yonder?
human
Certainly, and you'll have that to answer for.
gpt
Will he die?
human
I expect so.
gpt
You wouldn't dare appear agin me?
human
I will, as you shall see.
gpt
Now, see here, what's the use of fooling, pardner?
human
No use of it. I am in deadly earnest I assure you, returned the hunter.
gpt
I am of the opinion that you murdered that poor girl last week, and do you know, sir, there's a big reward offered for you dead or alive?
human
No. How much?
gpt
Five thousand dollars.
human
No-o!
gpt
It's true.
human
Who makes the offer?
gpt
The proper officer--sheriff, I suppose. Come, now; I think I will take you into custody, and haul in that reward.
human
But I ain't guilty, and you know it, Andrew.
gpt
Andrew again--
human
No more foolin', old chap. I know you, though, by gum! you _do_ look a heap like the ingineer from Grandon. Mebbe you'n him's related. But see here, I kin tell you by that, allus.
gpt
Your loving wife made that, pardner, and I 'spose you'll acknowledge the corn now.
human
Confound you!
gpt
Couldn't fool me, brother, chuckled Jounce.
human
I 'member when Iris gin ye that rap. She sticks to ye like a burr, pardner, and won't let ye play sweet on the ladies, as you'd like. Kinder mean fur a wife to keep sich a sharp eye out fur her lord, but I tell ye, Iris is grit to ther backbone, and she's jealous, too. But I won't tantalize yer, coz 'taint jest; but 'sposin' you gin me a little rhino? I'm busted--dead broke; out o' rocks, and wrecked on a lee shore.
gpt
I see that you know me, he finally articulated.
human
I've fooled a good many, but it seems a loving relative can't be deceived. Don't you give me away, Perry, and I'll have money enough for all of us soon.
gpt
No lying?
human
It's true as preaching
gpt
What lay are you on?
human
I make no confidants.
gpt
Then you'll rue it mebbe.
human
I certainly should if I did. I've got the softest snap but for one thing.
gpt
Wal?
human
An infernal man-tracker from Gotham is out here on my lay. He may prove troublesome.
gpt
I've seen him--Sile Keene.
human
Yes. Put him off the track, Perry, and I'll make it an object.
gpt
You can count on me, brother.
human
Never mind brothering me. I don't want you to trouble me again, you understand, until--
gpt
Till that man-tracker goes under?
human
Exactly.
gpt
You bet I won't.
human
Ho! So Mr. Andy don't like for me to call him brother, uttered the tramp, gutterally.
gpt
Wonder if he's forgot that he married sister Iris. I must look up the old girl. Mebbe she can do something for me. I'm aware that she'd be ashamed of me in these togs but I reckin I kin sleek up a bit with a part o' this