human
Mr. Tower?
gpt
Yes.
human
You have an army mule in your possession?
gpt
Guess you're right.
human
You guess? Don't you know?
gpt
We have one.
human
Where did you get it?
gpt
From a couple of trappers.
human
Maybe sixty miles down the Trail.
gpt
Describe the trappers.
human
Did you know, when you received this animal, that it was army property?
gpt
Yes.
human
Did you know also that the army isn't selling any mules?
gpt
I did.
human
Therefore you knew that this one was stolen from the army?
gpt
I had that idea.
human
Why did you take the mule?
gpt
Blast it, man! I lost a mule and had to have another! What did you think we'd do? Sit there?
human
Control your temper, Mr. Tower. If you knew these two men were thieves, why did you not take them into custody?
gpt
It was none of my business. I'm no law officer.
human
Do you have proof that what you've said is true?
gpt
I have my word, Ellis's here, my wife's, my daughter's, and my oldest son's.
human
Do you realize, Mr. Tower, that we shall have to take the mule and detain you until we have investigated?
gpt
You can have the mule! Joe roared.
human
But nobody's detaining us! We're going on as soon as we can get another!
gpt
I've already advised you to control your temper. Do you have this animal with you?
human
Yes.
gpt
We'll look at it.
human
Joe Tower, he said solemnly,
gpt
Let me handle this, Ellis pleaded.
human
You can argue with a human being, but that man is no human being. He's a bundle of army regulations. Let me try, Joe. And then, before Joe could say yes or no, he called out,
gpt
There's a sick youngster in that wagon and you're not to bother her or her mother.
human
What's the matter with the child?
gpt
It isn't smallpox, he said vehemently.
human
Don't get the idea that it's smallpox because it isn't!
gpt
Did you bring a case of smallpox here?
human
I just told you it isn't! Ellis remained vehement.
gpt
But if you're going to detain us we'd like to move her to the hospital, and get quarters for ourselves, until the youngster can travel.
human
Ellis--
gpt
I'm just telling him it isn't smallpox, Ellis asserted.
human
You know that yourself.