José — page 50: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

JOSE. | 43 “Yes, sir—that is if you’re the man.” “T? how so?” “Well, sir, you know that the wagon-boss is like the captain of a vessel at sea. He’s got to know his men and he can’t have any interference in his busi- ness. Now here’s a young fellow who’s worth more in handling mules than all the rest, but the wagon- boss tells me he has nothing to say about it and for me to go to you. Now all I want to know is who is commanding this here expedition, so that I may act accordingly. Two captains, side by side, never did do any good to nobody.” Green’s face for a moment flushed up. “Either Mr. Wood misinterpreted my orders or has grown sensitive over some instructions. Ihave no wish to interfere with his duties,” he replied, and only now he caught sight of the boy at the freighter’s side, and his look involuntarily remained fastened upon his dark, serious eyes. “Perhaps I had better give you a few lines to him which will set everything right. By the way,” he continued, thoughtfully ; “T should like to ask your advice, since you are an old prairie wolf; what do you think of the safety of the train if the Indians should become troublesome?” Bill shrugged his shoulders. “There was never a season that I haven’t had a scimmage with ’em, but never lost a cargo or risked my scalp except once. There’s always more or less trouble with the red- skins; but one gets used to it in time, like a sailor to a squall.” “But if there should be exceptional cause for alarm?” “Get afew more rifles and let the train cut its way through, These fellows ain’t half as danger- Gomichbooks