human
I didn't know what to do. I couldn't rescue Molly without a horse. I only had a revolver against their rifles and I'm not much of a shot. I tried to get back here but it was hard to find the way. I knew it was east but the sun was high and I wasn't sure which way the shadows lay. I was all in when your man found me.
gpt
All right, my son. Keith, I'm goin' to borrow that flask of yores. Might need it.
human
Has anything happened to Molly?
gpt
That's what I'm goin' to find out, Sandy answered.
human
Mormon, git me my cartridge belt an' some extry shells fo' my rifle.
gpt
I got to go git me my hawss, demurred Mormon who had followed him in.
human
Becos' I'm goin' on this trail.
gpt
You can come erlong with Sam when the Brandon outfit shows. Or, if they don't show, you can bring erlong our own boys soon's they come in. But I'm hittin' this alone.
human
You ain't takin' Sam? asked Mormon, returning with the cartridge belt, Sandy's rifle and a box of shells.
gpt
I know you're goin' to ride hard an' fast, Sandy, but you got to go slow after you git tryin' to cut sign. Plimsoll's likely taken her over to the Waterline range country. They got a place over there somewhere they call the Hideout. It's where they hide their hawsses when they want 'em out of sight an' I reckon it's hard to find. I c'ud keep within' sight of you till you start cuttin' sign, Sandy, an' then catch up.
human
Sam ain't comin', said Sandy, filling his rifle magazine and breech, stowing away extra clips.
gpt
I'm goin' in alone. Mo'n one 'ud be likely to spoil sign, Mormon, mo'n one is likely to advertise we're comin'. They're liable to leave a lookout. Know we'll miss Molly some time. Figgered young Keith might git back some time. Plimsoll's clearin' out of the country an' I'm trailin' him clean through hell if I have to. Ef he's harmed Molly I'll stake him out with a green hide wrapped round him an' his eyelids sliced off. I'll sit in the shade an' watch him frizzle an' yell when the hide shrinks in the sun. This is my private play, Mormon. You an' Sam can back it up, but I'm handlin' the cards. I'll leave sign plain fo' you to foller from Willer Crick. They must have crossed at the ford below the big bend.