Limber started the boys to the ranch at dawn, to make sure they would be
safe while he and Doctor Powell attended the inquest over King's body.
Holy, Bronco and Roarer reached the Diamond H without adventure, and
after caring for their ponies, grouped in the office at the end of the
court-yard, waiting Traynor's advent.
One comprehensive glance told him that something had happened. "Trouble"
was written in capital letters across each face. The Boss seated himself
at his desk, looked up and said, "What's the matter, boys? Been fined
for shooting up the town again?"
"Gee! I wisht it was that," groaned Bronco, as he dropped astride a
chair with his arms draped over the back.
"Any of you killed any one?" the voice was more serious now.
"Nope! It's our funeral this time," squeaked Roarer's falsetto.
Traynor twisted about and looked apprehensively at them all. "Great
guns! You haven't all gone and gotten married, have you?"
"It's worser'n that," Holy's sepulchral accents boomed, "This yer damn
fool outfit has been an' busted up a weddin'! That's all we done this
time!"
The worst was over. The men relaxed and waited the effect of their news.
"Well, go ahead. Tell the rest," ordered Traynor curtly, with knit
eyebrows.
Interspersed with interruptions, interjections and gestures, the three
managed to acquaint the Boss with the situation. When their story ended,
he said very sternly, "You boys know that I am always ready to stand by
you, but I gave you all fair warning when I hired you, that if you got
into any trouble or mix-up with a woman, it would mean your time. I
certainly never anticipated such a scrape as this. I'm disgusted with
you all!"
"We knowed that before you said it," Bronco agreed meekly, "but what we
want to make plain is--we don't want Limber to get any blame for what we
done. He wasn't in town when we busted loose. But Limber's liable to
tell you jest as if he was right thar hisself."
"You say the woman is looking for ranch work?"
"That's what Mrs. Green told us," was Bronco's reply, reinforced by nods
from the other two men. "Says she can cook an' keep house and sew an'
work in a orfice, an' Mrs. Green says she can stay thar until they find
work for her, somewhars."
Traynor sat looking thoughtfully at the paper-knife he held in his hand.
The eyes of the cowpunchers also stared at the paper-knife, as though
hoping it would solve their problem. The knife dropped on the desk and
Traynor looked up.
"I'll write to Mrs. Green and tell her that if the woman wants to bring
her child and come here to supervise the house, I will pay her
seventy-five dollars and board her and the boy. Fong is kicking because
he doesn't like the housework, and if I get a Mexican woman to come,
there's got to be some one to oversee her. This is the only daylight I
can see in the muddle you have made of things."
"Say, Mr. Traynor," Bronco leaned over the desk and spoke earnestly,
"You tell her to say we're ready to lay down in the corral and let her
put her iron on us without a squeal."
"An' we're all halter-broke, gentle and trained to feed from the hand,"
piped Roarer over Bronco's shoulder. Holy joined them. "If she don't
find things pan out like she wants 'em, anytime, all she's got to do is
chaw the rag and cuss, an' you bet your sweet life this yer outfit will
see that she gets things her own way."
Bronco and Roarer nodded vehemently, and Holy waxed more eloquent. "Tell
Mrs. Green if she acts like she's goin' to buck, to talk her into tryin'
us out. You know, we're a Hell of a sight better'n we look or act, Mr.
Traynor. I'll promise to put hobbles on the damn cuss words the minute
she gits here."
"All right, boys. I'll do what I can," promised Traynor. With hopeful
expressions they trailed through the door, but halted as he called,
"What's her name?"
"Mrs.---- Mrs.----," began Bronco confidently, then as he saw the
shaking heads, he finished, "Derned if we know. None of us ever ast.
We'd make fine cowpasture! We're so fresh and green!" his confession
wound up in disgust.
Left alone, Traynor wrote briefly to the wife of the Station Agent at
Willcox.
_Dear Mrs. Green:_ I understand that the lady who is with you is
looking for employment on a ranch. I would be glad to have her
assume charge of the house-keeping at the Diamond H.
There will be no menial labour. A Chinaman does the cooking and
washing, and I will employ a Mexican woman for the housework. A
little assistance on the ranch books would be of great value to me.
I will pay seventy-five dollars a month, with room and board for
her and the child.
If satisfactory, will you write me by next stage, and I will send
down for her and her baggage.
Kindly state that I regret the pranks of the boys, and hope it has
not caused any serious annoyance to you or her. They wish to make
amends in any manner possible. Their contrition is sincere, and so
are my apologies.
Very truly yours,