[Snow-Bound at Eagle’s by Bret Harte]@TWC D-Link bookSnow-Bound at Eagle’s CHAPTER IV 20/26
"I want to refresh your memory.
Did you ever learn, when you were with me--before I was obliged to kick you out of gentlemen's company--to break into a private house? Answer!" "No," stammered the wretch. "Did you ever learn to rob a woman, a child, or any but a man, and that face to face ?" "No," repeated Manuel. "Did you ever learn from me to lay a finger upon a woman, old or young, in anger or kindness ?" "No." "Then, my poor Manuel, it's as I feared; civilization has ruined you. Farming and a simple, bucolic life have perverted your morals.
So you were running off with the stock and that mustang, when you got stuck in the snow; and the luminous idea of this little game struck you? Eh? That was another mistake, Manuel; I never allowed you to think when you were with me." "No, captain." "Who's your friend ?" "A d--d cowardly nigger from the Summit." "I agree with you for once; but he hasn't had a very brilliant example. Where's he gone now ?" "To h-ll, for all I care!" "Then I want you to go with him.Listen.If there's a way out of the place, you know it or can find it.
I give you two days to do it--you and he.
At the end of that time the order will be to shoot you on sight.
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