Brace hesitated. "You'll think better of my plan before you get there;
but I've said I'd stand by you, and I will. Come, then. There's no time
to lose."

They passed out into the darkness together.

"What are you waiting for?" said Dunn impatiently, as Brace, who was
supporting him by the arm, suddenly halted at the corner of the house.

"Some one was listening--did you not see him? Was it the old man?" asked
Brace hurriedly.

"Blast the old man! It was only one of them Mexican packers chock-full
of whisky, and trying to hold up the house. What are you thinking of? We
shall be late."

In spite of his weakness, the wounded man hurriedly urged Brace forward,
until they reached the latter's lodgings. To his surprise, the horse
and buggy were already before the door.

"Then you reckoned to go, any way?" said Dunn, with a searching look at
his companion.

"I calkilated SOMEBODY would go," returned Brace, evasively, patting the
impatient Buckskin; "but come in and take a drink before we leave."

Dunn started out of a momentary abstraction, put his hand on his hip,
and mechanically entered the house. They had scarcely raised the glasses
to their lips when a sudden rattle of wheels was heard in the street.