human
There's a bright moon to-night till three in the mornin', then it's as dark as pitch,
gpt
Who figured out all that?
human
I reckon Shorty Smith er some o' 'em did,
gpt
And they're going to meet in the sheep-shed at the foot of the big hill,
human
Yes, replied Dan reluctantly,
gpt
How many men?
human
replied the twin.
gpt
Mebby not so many. He leaned forward until his face was close beside the girl's.
human
Say, he whispered nervously,
gpt
Are they aware you know about it? she asked quickly.
human
Do they know?
gpt
You can't never tell,
human
If we only had that Gatlin' gun now we'd be all right, exclaimed the other twin enthusiastically, as his horse nosed its way in beside them.
gpt
But if we get behind the big rock we'll scare 'em to death, so's they won't have the nerve to do nothin'!
human
But what are they going to do? demanded Hope impatiently.
gpt
You seem to know nothing except that they're going to meet there for some devilishness.
human
Goin' to make a raid on the shed, I reckon,
gpt
And you think we can stand off a dozen men?
human
They can't do a thing to us from the big rock, anyway, an' we can watch the fun an' pick off everyone that leaves the shed. We can do that much,
gpt
How you thirst for blood! They deserve death, every one--_the dogs_! But I can't do it! There must be some other way! He must be warned, and his men too, and the thing averted. Before, it just happened so--this time we have a chance and warning.
human
It 'ud never do to tell him, exclaimed the soft-voiced twin nervously.
gpt
He'd put his own head right into the noose!
human
Never! she cried.
gpt
You don't know what courage he has!
human
Not another word! I'll manage this thing myself! It's for me to command, and you obey orders. Remember, you're my scouts--my _brave scouts_. Surely you want me to be proud of you!
gpt
You bet!
human
Then do as I say, she commanded in a voice softly alluring, coaxing.
gpt
Go home, find out what you can, and bring me word here in an hour. If you are not back here then I will go down there and face them all, myself--_alone_.
human
You wouldn't,
gpt
I _would_! replied the girl.
human
Now go--and remember I'll expect you back in one hour. If you fail me, I'll go down there and face those devils single-handed! I could wipe the earth with forty such dogs!