Old Hicks easily comprehended the expression upon his face, and solemnly stroked his goat-beard.
"Ain't used ter that sort o' thing, hey ?" he asked at last, his obstinate old eyes contracting into mere slits.

"Reckon we're in a sort o' pickle, don't ye?
Wal, I don't know 'bout that.

Yer see, me an' Stutter have bin sort o' lookin' fer somethin' like this ter occur fer a long time, an' we 've consequently got it figgered out ter a purty fine p'int.

When Farnham an' his crowd come moseying up yere, they ain't goin' ter have it all their own way, let me tell yer, pardner.

Do yer see that straight face o' rock over yonder ?" he rose to his feet, pointing across his shoulder.