human
Why on the flat? asked Mormon.
gpt
There's a heap of cover round here where they might snake up afteh dahk an' sling anythin' they minded to at us, from lead to giant powdeh!
human
Wal, drawled Sandy, flicking the ash from his cigarette,
gpt
Sure did.
human
You figger on settin' the lantern in here afteh dahk, he said.
gpt
An' watchin' the fun from the tunnel.
human
Pritty close, Mormon. Come inside, you an' Westlake, an' I'll show you suthin'.
gpt
No matteh what happens, said Sandy,
human
Yes. There's a lot of talk loose about the trouble between you and Plimsoll's crowd. Factions for both sides and a lot of onlookers who are neutral and just waiting for the excitement. I saw Roaring Russell but he passed me up. He might not have known me. He was pretty well drunk. He's talking big about taking you apart, Mr. Peters. He claims to have been a champion wrestler at one time.
gpt
You don't say so, said Mormon.
human
Me, I was the champeen wrastler of the Cow Belt, one time. Had the belt to prove it till I lost it at draw poker. I've got hawg fat sence then, but I don't believe I've softened any. An' the booze he's tuckin' away is mighty pore stuff fo' trainin'. But I ain't long on walkin', he added.
gpt
B'lieve I'll sit me down a spell. I'll make fire an' git supper if you want to take Westlake up to the tunnel.
human
I wouldn't wonder if Casey was running this as a drift to follow a good lead, he pronounced.
gpt
It looks better to me than any part of the camp I've inspected. I'll assay these samples for you, if you've no objection. I've got a lot of orders back at my shack already. My customers told me that they'd put a flea in Russell's ear that the camp assayer was not to be interfered with, so there is some value in an education, you see.
human
You pack a gun?
gpt
No. I've got one, but I don't carry it. My practise with firearms has been with larger calibers.
human
War?
gpt
Yes. I was in the artillery. Is there anything else I can do? Get you some supplies? I'm coming back to have supper with Miss Bailey and her nephew.
human
Not a thing, said Sandy.
gpt
Much obliged.
human
There's a good man for you, he said to Sam.
gpt
Well set up and able to handle himself. I like his ways first-rate.
human
Me, too, said Sam.
gpt
He'd make a good match fo' Molly, when she comes back with her eddication, w'udn't he?
human
Twist yo' foot? he asked.
gpt
High heels is all right fo' stirrups but they're tough on hill climbin'.
human
No. I was jest thinkin'. Nothin' that amounts to shucks. Gettin' dahk. We better git outside of our supper an' sneak up to the tunnel soon's it gits dusk enough to light the lantern.