Chapter 70

           Theoldhunterneverdidthingsinahurry.Evenhisstyleofdrinkingwasnotanexception;andalthoughtherewasnotimewasted,hequaffedtheMonongahelainaformalleisurelymanner.

           TheCreole,impatienttohearwhathehadtorelate,didnotwaitforhimtoresumespeech.

           "Tellme,dearZeb,"saidshe,afterdirectinghermaidtowithdraw,"whyhavetheyarrestedthisMexican—MiguelDiazImean?IthinkIknowsomethingoftheman.Ihavereasons."

           "An’youain’ttheonlypursonmayhevreezunsforknowin’him,MissLewaze.Yurbrother—butnevermind’beoutthat—leastwisenotnow.WhatZebStumpdoknow,orstronglysurspect,air,thetthissame-mentionedMigooelDee-ezhevhadsomethin’todowi’—YouknowwhatI’mrefarrin’to?"

           "Goon,MrStump!"

           "Wal,thestoryairthis.ArterwekimfromtheAlamoCrik,thefellursthatwentinsarcho’themInjuns,foun’outtheywan’tInjunsatall.Yehevheernthatyurself.Fromthefixinsthatwardiskeveredinthehollertree,itairclurthatwhatweseedontheBluffwarapartyo’whites.Ihedasurspishuno’tmyself—soonasIseedthemcurdsthey’dleftahint’emintheshanty."

           "Itwasthesame,then,whovisitedthejacaléatnight—thesamePhalimsaw?"

           "Ne’eradoubto’it.ThemsameMexikins."

           "WhatreasonhaveyoutothinktheywereMexicans?"

           "Thebesto’allreezuns.Ifoun’’emouttobe;tracedthehulkito’’emtothurcaché."

           TheyoungCreolemadenorejoinder.