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."Pardon me, Madam, if I seem to stare," he remarked in English as fluent asher own."But you are the most peculiar-looking old lady I've seen.I'd liketo introduce you to my squaws.When I was in New York and Paris, during thewar, I met some modern up-to-date women, but you've got them beaten a mile!"Mrs.Durland's jaw dropped, her eyes popped, and with a gasp she collapsed.Janey, standing behind the packs, stuffed her handkerchief in her mouth tokeep from shouting in glee.Ham-face was assuredly one of the educated Navajoswhom the cowboys had mentioned.After that he ceased annoying Mrs.Durland, but presently, after anenigmatical look at Janey, he joined Randolph and his two comrades near thehorses.They conversed a little longer.Then the Indians mounted and rodeaway.Ham-face turned to wave a hand at Mrs.Durland."Adios, little Eva," he called.When they disappeared Mrs.Durland came out of her trance."That long-haired dirty ragged savage!" she raged."To think he understoodevery word I uttered and then talked just like a white man!.He added insultto injury.Oh, this hideous Arizona with its lying traders, cowboys, Indians,outlaws and pitfalls!.Oh, my son, my son, get me out of this mess!""Mother, I've a feeling the worst is yet to come," replied her young hopeful.Page 70 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlJaney got up from where she had sprawled, and tried to catch Randolph's eye.But his face was averted and he stood motionless in a strained attitude of onelistening."What is it?" whispered Janey."I thought I heard a horse," he replied."Not the Indians'.It came from downthe canyon.""Hands up!" rasped out a hard voice from behind them.Janey stood paralyzed.She saw Randolph extend his arms high, and then slowlyturn.His ruddy tan fled."My God--it's really Black Dick himself!" he breathed,huskily.Janey's heart skipped beating and then leaped.Turning, she saw two men inrough rider's garb.The foremost was heavy and broad, with what seemed a blackblotch for a face.He held a gun which was pointed at Randolph."Howdy, Professor," he said."Jest stand steady-like while Snitz gets yourgun."The second man, a little red-faced, redheaded, bow-legged person, with agreasy blue leather shirt, appropriated Randolph's weapon, and then verydeftly his wallet."Hum! Looks flatter'n a pancake to me," said the robber, eying the latter withdisdain."Wal, mebbe these hyar tenderfeet will be better heeled."Mrs.Durland and Bert stood rigid, with hands high and startled expressions."Reckon Willie Whitepants ought to have a lot of money, an' if he hain't Mrs.Hatchet-face will."A swift search of Bert brought to light a few bills of small denomination andsome change."Wal, if he ain't a two-bit sport," exclaimed the leader, in disgust."Allthem fine togs an' no yellow coin!.Say, lady, have you any money an'vallables?""Not h-h-here," stammered Mrs.Durland.It was plain that not only was shelying but very frightened."Scuse us, lady, fer gettin' so familiar when we ain't even been introduced.I'm Black Dick, from the border, an' this hyar pard of mine is Snitz Jones.""Oh, my! There are two Black Dicks!" groaned Mrs.Durland."Wal, there's only one real Black Dick an' I'm the gent," returned the robber,with lofty humor."He calls himself Black Dick," burst out the woman, dropping a weak hand topoint it at Randolph."Y-yes--so--he does," corroborated Bert, impressively."The hell you say! Wal, now, I call that complimentary.But, folks, he wasonly josh-in' you.Mabbe havin' fun with my rep!""You--you mean he isn't Black Dick and you are?" faltered Mrs.Durland."Precisely an' exactly, lady," returned Black Dick, amiably."Who is he, then?""Wal, I ain't sure, but I think he's Phil Randolph.The cowmen hyar aboot callhim Professor Bone-digger."The guilty archaeologist dropped his hands with a laugh and sat down abruptly.Janey realized that the cat was out of the bag."Impostor! Liar!" burst out Mrs.Durland."Wal, I'll be dog-gone!" ejaculated Black Dick, with mild interest."Snitz,somethin' up hyar, an' I've a hunch it's amoozin'.But we mustn't forget tocollect all vallables fust.""Fork over, mum," said Snitz, thus admonished, his eager hands extended."I--I tell you I've nothing," replied Mrs.Durland, weakly."Search her, Snitz," ordered Black Dick, sternly."Hey--lady--keep them handsup."Whereupon the little red-headed ruffian went at Mrs.Durland with an alacrityand verve that made Janey nearly choke, while at the same time she feltmisgivings as to what might happen to her."Aha! Hyar's a lump of somethin' that feels heavy an' sounds moosical,"Page 71 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlannounced Snitz, slapping at Mrs.Durland's hip pocket."You--thieving--lecherous--scoundrel!" Mrs.Durland screeched.It must have hurt her to see that fat jingling bag brought to light.Snitzburst it open.Greenbacks, gold coins--jewelry!"Whoopee!" yelled the little robber."It's a haul, boss.This hyar lady shoredidn't bulge all over fer nothin'.""Business is lookin' up," remarked Black Dick, with satisfaction."Now Snitz,hand all that over to me, an' hey a look at this gurl.Looks to me she'd havea million--if you jedge by eyes.Ain't she a looker?"As Snitz approached Janey, grinning, eager, full of the devil as well asgreed, she suddenly became terrified.This was not so funny."Phil!" she cried."Don't let him touch me.""Be sensible, child.They've held us up," admonished Randolph.Janey slipped off her diamond ring and stretched it out at the length of herarm and let it drop in Snitz's palm."That's all I've got.Honest," she said, earnestly, in the stress of wantingto escape those rude hands."Little gurl, you don't look like a prevaricateer, but we jest can't trustyou," returned Black Dick, soothingly."Peachy, if you run it'll be the wuss for you," added Snitz, reaching for her.His touch, following the devilish little gleam in his eye, inflamed Janey.With one wrench she tore free and struck at Snitz with all her might.A quickduck of head just saved him."Whew!" he ejaculated, astounded and checked."Wow!" added Black Dick, in gleeful admiration."She strikes like asidewinder, Snitz.If that one had landed you've hey knowed it.Wal, now whata fiery wench!"Janey blazed at the leering astonished robber."You damn little beast! If youtouch me again I'll knock your red head off!"Black Dick guffawed uproariously, while Snitz, though he joined in the mirth,took her seriously."Who'd a thunk it, boss?" he said."Look at that tight little fist an' the wayshe swings it.""Wal, I reckon I'm noticin'," added the leader, sheathing his gun andapproaching."We gotta be gennelmen, you know, Snitz.See hyar, mighty littlegurl, are you tellin' us true? You hain't nothin' on you but this ring?""That's all," returned Janey, breathing hard."Wal, turn round ferinspection," he ordered.Janey did as she was bidden."Do it again, an' not so damn fast.This ain't no merry-go-round
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