Lost Pueblo (1992) Read Free Page B

I'd say! For you an' Ray! The cows are yore job, an' yore both locoed b-by this d-d-dame. It's g-g-goner rain like hell!"
    Janey turned to Mohave. "Perhaps you b-b-better go.... Well, I hope to die if I'm not stuttering too!"
    Here Diego, filling the doorway, struck a dramatic pose and fixed sentimental eyes on Janey.
    "Por ultimo! Senorita mia!" he said eloquently.
    "Too many languages around here for me," returned Janey.
    "Here's Diego to give a hand. I was jest tellin' Miss Endicott how you could ride. An' she's shore ailin' to see you round up the cows."
    Diego's look of fiery pride slowly changed to one of suspicion; and Tay-Tay stared from him to Mohave. The next thing to happen was Ray shoving Diego into the room, and stalking after him, to transfix Mohave with menacing eyes.
    "Wal, for Gawd's sake! So you was jest gettin' me out of the way. Said Bennet was lookin' for me. Wal, cowboy, he ain't."
    "Don't you accuse me of no sneakin' trick," replied Mohave, flaring up.
    "Bennet was askin' fer you. He's plumb forgot. He's gettin' absent-minded, you know. Ask Tay-Tay here if Bennet didn't send him lookin' fer you to fetch in the cows."
    "S-s-smatter with you, Mohave?" retorted Tay-Tay. "B-B-Bennet didn't send me nowhere. I c-c-ame fer myself."
    "Tay-Tay, yore tongue's not only more tied since you seen Miss Endicott, but yore mind is wuss," complained Mohave.
    Then followed a silence which Janey hugely enjoyed. What a time she was going to have! Wouldn't she turn the tables on her tricky father? Mohave backed away from the threatening Ray. The other boys edged nearer to Janey, who thought it wise to retreat to the window seat. The suspense of the moment was broken by the entrance of Zoroaster, who swung two pairs of boxing gloves in his hands. Behind him entered the Indian maid.
    "Mees, your room ees ready," she announced, and retired.
    Janey was in no hurry to follow. Something might happen here too good to miss.
    "Thar you are!" announced Zoroaster, indicating Tay-Tay. He might be a Mormon, but he was certainly good to look at, decided Janey.
    "W-w-what y-y-you w-w-want me for?" stuttered Tay-Tay, rebelliously.
    "Yore time's come. I've been layin' fer you. An' right now we can have it out," returned the grim Mormon.
    "W-w-why right now more'n another time?" asked Tay-Tay.
    "Wal," spoke up Ray, "I reckon a blind man could see thet. Lope on outdoors, Tay, an' get yours."
    Diego showed his white teeth in a gleaming smile.
    "Geeve the gloves to Ray an' Mohave. They're lookeen for trouble."
    "It's me who's lookin' fer trouble, an' after I'm through with Tay I'll take any of you on. Savvy?"
    "B-b-but if I w-w-want to q-q-quit in the m-m-middle of a round I won't be able to say s-s-s-stop," replied Tay-Tay.
    "Aw, yore jest plain backin' out before this lady.... Wal, who of you will put them on?"
    Zoroaster looked from one to the other. They all appeared to have become absentminded. Janey had an inspiration, and rose, radiant, from the window seat.
    "I will, Mr. Zoroaster," she said.
    The Mormon cowboy's face turned redder than his hair. He was dumbfounded, and plainly fought to keep from running. But Janey's smile chained him. If she saw in the boxing bout an opportunity to get acquainted with Zoroaster, he evidently saw one to outdo the other zealous suitors for her favor. Awkwardly he thrust a pair of gloves at her.
    "All right, Miss. You're shore showin' these hombres up. But I'll be careful not to hurt you."
    Janey was athletic and, as it happened, was the best boxer in her club. Pretending unfamiliarity with boxing gloves she begged someone to help her put them on. All save Ray rushed to her assistance.
    He stared, open-mouthed, and finally ejaculated, "Wal, for Gawd's sake!"
    "There! Now, Mr. Zoroaster, give me a few pointers, please," suggested Janey, winningly.
    "It's easy, Miss," he said, extending his gloved hands. "Keep one foot forward, an' lead with your left hand. Keep yore eyes on my gloves an' duck."
    Janey