For
an hour the search was unavailing, but at the end of that time Mr.
Cassidy began to notice signs of nervousness on the part of his guest,
which grew less as they proceeded. Then Mr. Cassidy retraced their
steps to the place where the nervousness first developed and tried
another way and once more returned to the starting point.
"Yu seems to hanker for this fool exercise," quoth Mr. Trayennes
with much sarcasm. "If yu reckons I'm fond of this locoed ramblin' yu
shore needs enlightenment."
"Sometimes I do get these fits," confessed Mr. Cassidy, "an' when I
do I'm dead sore on objections. Let's peek in that there hut," he
suggested.
"Huh; yore ideas of cayuses are mighty peculiar. Why don't you look
for `em up on those cactuses or behind that mesquite? I wouldn't be a
heap surprised if they was roostin' on th' roof. They are mighty
knowing animals, cayuses. I once saw one that could figger like a
schoolmarm," remarked Mr. Travennes, beginning sarcastically and
toning it down as he proceeded, out of respect for his companion's
gun.
"Well, they might be in th' shack," replied Mr. Cassidy. "Cayuses
know so much that it takes a month to unlearn them. I wouldn't like to
bet they ain't in that hut, though."
Mr. Travennes snickered in a manner decidedly uncomplimentary and
began to whistle, softly at first. The gentleman from the Bar-20
noticed that his companion was a musician; that when he came to a
strong part he increased the tones until they bid to be heard at
several hundred yards.
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