human
Hello, there! What are you up to?
gpt
If it ain't Pawnee Brown!
human
Pawnee Brown!
gpt
Not so fast, boy!
human
What's the meaning of this? What are you doing to that boy?
gpt
He's a horse thief, and we are going to take him to our camp,
human
A horse thief! ejaculated Jack Rasco.
gpt
Say, sod'ger, yer crazy! Thet boy a thief! Wall, by gum!
human
That boy is no thief, put in Pawnee Brown.
gpt
He belongs to our camp, and is as square as they make them--I'll vouch for it.
human
I ain't taking the word of any boomer, muttered Tucker sourly.
gpt
That kid--hold on! Don't shoot!
human
You'll take my word or take something else, came the stiff response.
gpt
Be quick, now, and say which you choose.
human
I didn't mean any harm, Pawnee. Maybe you don't know it, but the boy is a thief just the same. We just caught him riding my horse--this bay. My comrades can prove it.
gpt
It's true,
human
True as gospel, added Skimmy, the third cavalryman.
gpt
We caught him less than half an hour ago.
human
Tell me your yarn, Dick. I know there is some mistake here.
gpt
There is not much to tell, Major. When the lariat broke up at the Devil's Chimney and I couldn't make you reply to my calls I ran off to get help and a rope. I intended to ride your mare back to camp, but when I got to where the mare had been tethered I found her gone and this bay loafing around in her place. I got on the bay, but, instead of riding to camp, the animal ran away with me and brought me here. These fellows were mighty rough on me, and that man was going to split my head open when you came along in the nick of time.
human
That's a neat fairy tale, sneered Tucker.
gpt
This horse was stolen four hours ago. More than likely the boy couldn't manage him and lost his way and the horse tried to get back to where he belonged.
human
That doesn't connect with what I know, answered Pawnee Brown, quietly.
gpt
My mare was tethered where he went to look for her. I might as well accuse you of riding down there, taking Bonnie Bird and leaving this nag in her place.
human
Do you mean to insinuate we are horse thieves?
gpt
I'm giving you as good as you send, that's all. Dick, have you any idea where Bonnie Bird is?
human
Not the slightest, sir.
gpt
I'll not give up the hunt until I have found her. He turned again to the cavalrymen.
human
If the finest little black mare, with a white blaze, that you ever saw strays into your camp remember she belongs to me, he went on.
gpt
I want her returned at once, and if anybody attempts to keep her there will be a hotter time than this Territory has seen for many a day. Dick, hop up behind me,
human
That boy is to remain here,
gpt
Hardly, my bantam. Hop up, Dick, and we'll strike back for camp before the sun comes up and see if the others who are on the search have seen anything of your father. I saw nothing of him at the bottom of the Devil's Chimney.
human
I'm not going to have a lazy, good-for-nothing boomer lay it over me----