human
Yas, neighbur, I reckon thar wuz sich erchap hyar ez you wuz quizzin me erbout. It's ergoin' on two hour ergo as he stuck his nose into this ere place, an' ast me all erbout ther runnin' er that stage-coach from hyer ter Independence.
gpt
Asked you about the stage-coach, eh! said Jack, his attention particularly attracted by this remark.
human
What did you tell the gentleman about it?
gpt
Why, I jist guv him ther time table all erlong its route, an', ses I, thar's ter be one erlong ter-night erbout ten er-clock from ther south'ard, which'll stop hyar ter water ther nags. It ginerally kerries from five ter ten people, yer see, an' I allers hev ter laugh when I hears how skeered they gits while er-crossin' ther ledge down yander on thet ere spur er ther hills.
human
Dangerous place?
gpt
Wall, I reckon it be. Hev a chaw er terbacker?
human
No, I thank you. What time does the stage leave the next town?
gpt
Nine o'clock--it's jist one hour difference.
human
Did the gentleman inquire particularly about this stage?
gpt
Certain. It's ther only one wot's due fer two days.
human
Did he say anything about the ledge?
gpt
Sure he did, an' axed me werry pertickler all about it. I was erwondsrin' wot he was erquizzin' me about so much, but reckon it wuz only his pesky curiosity.
human
Very likely, said Jack, in grim tones.
gpt
Then he rode off?
human
Yes, an' or mighty likely nag it wuz, too, which he called Jim.
gpt
That's Jim Malone,