human
Whar is Lacy?
gpt
Back in town, but he will be at Badger Springs about dark. We've got him corralled this time. Yer better climb inter the band-wagon, son; it's the last call.
human
Wotcher wanter ask?
gpt
Who was with you the out-trip, along with Miss Donovan?
human
Joe Sikes.
gpt
And yer left him back there, guarding the girl?
human
He stayed; them was the orders, while I was to bring back the team; but I reckon he won't need to do no guardin' to speak of, fer we run inter a bunch o' fellows.
gpt
Mendez's outfit?
human
You got the right dope, marshal, so I reckon I ain't spillin' no beans. It was the Mex all right, an' some o' his bunch.
gpt
And Lacy didn't know they were there?
human
I reckon not; leastways he never said so, an' they'd only come a few days.
gpt
How many are they?
human
Maybe a dozen; I don't just know. I saw eight, or ten, round the bunk-house, besides ol' Mendez an' that dude lieutenant of his, Juan Cateras. I ain't got no use fer that duck; I allers did want ter soak him. Then ther' was others out with the cow herd.
gpt
They had a bunch o' cattle?
human
Maybe three hundred head, run in from Arizona. I heard that much, but I don't talk their lingo.
gpt
What was done with the young lady?
human
Cateras took her, he admitted,
gpt
Did you learn if there was any other prisoner there?
human
Not that I heard of. Who do yer mean?
gpt
A man named Cavendish.
human
No, I reckon not.
gpt
What are you guys goin' ter do with me?
human
That depends, Matt. When a lad is straight with me, I generally play square with him. All this took place in Sunken Valley?
gpt
Yep; whar'd you hear it called that?
human
Oh, I know more'n some ov you boys think I do. That name's been floatin' 'bout fer some time. I've even got the spot located--it's straight south thar a ways. But you've been in it, an' I never have. Here's whar you can serve the law, an' so get out of yer own trouble if yer so minded. It don't make a hell ov a lot o' difference to me whether yer speak up or not, but it's liable to ter you. What do yer say?
gpt
Fire away; I reckon I'm up against it anyhow.
human
What's the valley like, an' how do you get into it?
gpt
Well, I'd say it was just a sort o' sink in the desert, a kinder freak. Anyhow, I never saw nuthin' like it afore. You'd never know it was thar a hundred yards away; it kinder scares me sometimes when I come up to it thro' all this sand. The walls is solid rock, almost straight up an' down, but thar's a considerable stream flowin' down thar that just bursts out a hole in the rock, an' plenty o' grass fer quite a bunch of steers.
human
How do they get down into it?
gpt
Mendez fixed it?
human
No; I heerd that Bill Lacy sorter handled that job. The Mex can't do nuthin' but steal.
gpt
Then Lacy is the go-between? He sells the cattle?
human
Sure; I s'posed yer knew that. He ships them east from Bolton Junction, an' pretends they come from his ranch over on Clear Water. The Mexicans drive 'em in that way, an' they're all branded 'fore they leave the valley. It's a cinch.
gpt
And there is no other way to the bottom except along this trail?
human
That's 'bout all.
gpt
Well, could Jim and I make it--say after dark?
human
Mebbe so; but I reckon ye'd be dead when yer got thar. Thar's allers two Mexes on guard when Mendez is in the valley. He ain't takin' no chances o' gettin' caught that way.
gpt
Where are they?
human
Just below the top, whar they kin see out over the desert. Hell, yer couldn't get within half a mile an' not be spotted. It's bull luck yer run inter me.