CHAPTER X

THE FLIGHT

When the Texan had departed Bat Lajune eyed the side-saddle with disgust.  “Dat damn t’ing, she ain’ no good.  A’m git de reg’lar saddle.”

Slowly he pushed open the side door of the hotel and paused in the darkened hallway to stare at the crack of yellow light that showed beneath the door of Number 11.

“A’m no lak’ dis fool ‘roun’ wit’ ’omen.”  He made a wry face and knocked gingerly.

Jennie Dodds opened the door, and for a moment eyed the half-breed with frowning disfavour.

“Look a here, Bat Lajune, is this on the level?  They say you’re the squarest Injun that ever swung a rope.  But Injun or white, you’re a man, an’ I wouldn’t trust one as far as I could throw a mule by the tail.”

“Mebbe-so you lak’ you com’ ‘long an’ see, eh?”

“I got somethin’ else to do besides galavantin’ ’round the country nights with cowboys an’ Injuns.”

The half-breed laughed and turned to Alice.  “Better you bor’ some pants for ride de horse.  Me, A’m gon’ git nudder saddle.  ’Fore you ride little ways you bre’k you back.”

“Go over to the livery barn an’ tell Ross to put my reg’lar saddle on in place of the side-saddle, an’ when you come back she’ll be ready.”  Jennie Dodds slipped from the room as the outer door closed upon the half-breed’s departure, and returned a few minutes later with her own riding outfit, which she tossed onto the bed.

“Jest you climb into them, dearie,” she said.  “Bat’s right.  Them side-saddles is sure the dickens an’ all, if you got any ways to go.”

“But,” objected Alice, “I can’t run off with all your things this way!” She reached for her purse.  “I’ll tell you, I’ll buy them from you, horse and all!”

“No you won’t, no such thing!” Jennie Dodds assumed an injured tone.  “Pity a body can’t loan a friend nuthin’ without they’re offered to git payed for it.  You can send the clothes back when you’re through with ‘em.  An’ here’s a sack.  Jest stick what you need in that.  It’ll tie on behind your saddle, an’ you can leave the rest of your stuff here in your grip an I’ll ship it on when you’re ready for it.  Better leave them night-gowns an’ corsets an’ such like here.  You ain’t goin’ to find no use for ’em out there amongst the prickly pears an’ sage brush.  Law me!  I don’t envy you your trip none!  I’d jest like to know what for devilment that Tex Benton’s up to.  Anyways, you don’t need to be afraid of him—­like Purdy.  But men is men, an’ you got to watch ’em.”

As the girl chattered on she helped Alice to dress for the trail and when the “war-bag” was packed and tied with a stout cord, the girl crossed to the window and drew back the shade.

“The Injun’s back.  You better be goin’.”  The girl slipped a small revolver from her pocket and pressed it into Alice’s hand.  “There’s a pocket for it in the bloomers.  Cinnabar Joe give it to me a long time ago.  Take care of yourself an’ don’t be afraid to use it if you have to.  An’ mind you let me hear jest the minute you git anywheres.  I’ll be a-dyin’ to know what become of you.”