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As he started to herd them from the hut Billy demurred. He turned toward

Bridge.

"Most of this talk gets by me," he said. "I ain't jerry to all the Dago jabber yet,

though I've copped off a little of it in the past two weeks. Put me wise to the gink's

lay."

Elementary, Watson, elementary," replied Bridge. "We are captured by bandits,

and they are going to take us to their delightful chief who will doubtless have us

shot at sunrise."

"Bandits?" snapped Billy, with a sneer. "Youse don't call dese little runts

bandits?"

Baby bandits, Billy, baby bandits," replied Bridge.

An' you're goin' to stan' fer lettin' 'em pull off this rough stuff without handin'

'em a come-back?" demanded Byrne.

We seem to be up against just that very thing," said Bridge. "There are four

carbines quite ready for us. It would mean sudden death to resist now. Later we

may find an opportunity--I think we'd better act simple and wait." He spoke in a

quick, low whisper, for the spokesman of the brigands evidently understood a

little English and was on the alert for any trickery.

Billy shrugged, and when their captors again urged them forward he went quietly;

but the expression on his face might have perturbed the Mexicans had they

known Billy Byrne of Grand Avenue better--he was smiling happily.

Miguel had two ponies in his corral. These the brigands appropriated, placing

Billy upon one and Miguel and Bridge upon the other. Billy's great weight

rendered it inadvisable to double him up with another rider.

As they were mounting Billy leaned toward Bridge and whispered:

I'll get these guys, pal--watch me," he said.

I am with thee, William!--horse, foot, and artillery," laughed Bridge.

Which reminds me," said Billy, "that I have an ace-in-the-hole--the boobs never

frisked me."

"And I am reminded," returned Bridge, as the horses started off to the yank of

hackamore ropes in the hands of the brigands who were leading them, "of a

touching little thing of Service's:

198

The Mucker