The Agency man thought a question would not commit him. He had not been round at that time, and he asked for information. The lieutenant gave it to him.He watched her as she went out of the tent, and the surgeon and steward worked with the shining little instruments.
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ONE:"No," said Cairness, "he won't. I've met him since. That was a long time ago, and I was smooth shaven."
TWO:"They won't be ready. No use making haste, Captain," Cairness suggested at daybreak, as Landor hurried the breakfast and saddling. They knew that the chances were ten to one that it would be a wild goose chase, and the captain already repented him. But at seven the men were mounted, with two days' rations in their saddle bags, and trotting across the flat in the fragrance of the yet unheated day, to the settlement of San Tomaso.
THREE:"That you take them to civilization—the missus and the kid. It's the only salvation for all three of you—for you as well as them."
THREE:Landor's troop, with one other, was in the San[Pg 275] Andres Mountains of New Mexico when Cairness joined it. They were on the trail of a large band of renegades, and it led them through the mountains, across the flats, and down to the lava beds.Cairness made another cigarette and considered. "I think I'll hire to him," he said, after a while.
