"He ain't come hunting fer you as quick as this?" he inquired uneasily.
"That ain't what's fetched him over to the desert?"

"Haven't asked him," answered Van. "He promised to look me up if ever
he got out alive."

"Look you up!" Gettysburg was obviously over-wrought by the mere
intelligence that Barger was at liberty. "You know what he'll do! You
know him, boy! You know he'll keep his word. You can't go foolin'
around alone. You've got to be----"

"Pass the beans," Van interrupted. He added more quietly: "Sit down,
Gett, and shut the front door of your face."

Napoleon was eating, to "keep Van company." He pushed away his plate.

"Just our luck if these here derelicts was to foul us, skipper and
crew," he observed ruefully. "Just our luck."

Gettysburg sat down, adding: "Why can't you wait, Van, wait till the
whole kit and boodle of us can move to the bran'-new claim?"

Van finished half a cup of coffee.

"I told you I should continue on without delay. The horses will
probably come to-night for all of you to follow me to-morrow."

"Then why don't you wait and go with us?" repeated Gettysburg. "We'll
git there by noon, and you ain't got nuthin' to ride."