As the Lizard left the trail and rode toward him, Saint Jimmy glanced up from his book. With a look of mild interest, he watched as the horse with its rider climbed the steep side of the mountain.
When he had come quite near, the Lizard stopped, and slouching down in the saddle looked at the man seated on the ground with a wide grin, while the horse with a long breath of relief dropped his head and settled himself sleepily, as if understanding from long experience that his master would have no further use for him for some time to come.
“’Bout as usual,” returned the horseman. “I’m eatin’ reg’lar. ’Lowed hit war time I rode by to see how you was a makin’ hit these days. I see ye’re still alive,” he laughed, in his loose-mouthed way.
“I am doing very well,” returned Saint Jimmy, wondering what the real object of the fellow’s call might be.
“Uh-huh! I was up t’ the store myself day before. Hear anythin’ new, did ye?”
“Nothing startling,” smiled Saint Jimmy. “Your father and mother are well, are they?”
“’Bout as usual. Ain’t seed George Wheeler lately, have ye--er any of his folks?”
“George was at our house a few days ago,” returned Jimmy. “Stopped in a few minutes on his way home from the upper ranch.”
The Lizard shifted his slouching weight in the saddle. “I met up with one of George’s punchers t’other day. Bud Gordon, hit war. He says as how th’ lions is a-gettin’ ’bout all of George’s mule colts up ’round his place above.”
“So George was telling us. It’s too bad. You ranchers will be planning another hunt soon, I suppose.”
The Lizard shook his head solemnly, then leered at Saint Jimmy with an evil grin.
“Thar’s varmints in this here neighborhood what needs a-huntin’ a mighty sight more’n lions an’ coyotes an’ sich.”
“You say you ain’t heerd nothin’?” demanded the Lizard.
“’Bout that there new prospector, what’s located in th’ old cabin down thar by th’ Pardners’ place.”
“No,” said Doctor Burton slowly. “I have heard nothing about Mr. Edwards--nothing wrong, I mean.”
“Wal, if ye ain’t, hit’s ’cause ye ain’t been ’round much, er ’cause ye ain’t listened very close. Mebby, though, folks would be kind o’ slow-like sayin’ anythin’ t’ you--seein’s how you’d likely be more interested ’n anybody else.”
