"Not so loud Juan. There may be somebody around who would recognize
that name. It is enough that you know me."

"What do you wish with me, senor?"

The Mexican's voice shook. Evidently he feared this tall,
good-looking, though dissolute, young Gringo.

"You are to escort a party of gringos headed by a Senor Bell as far
as Steer Wells, are you not?"

"Si senor. As I said to-morrow before the rising of the sun must I
be awake. I must saddle and pack, and--"

"All right. Never mind that. I have a little bit of work for you
to perform, too. If you do it well you will be rewarded. If not--"

"If not senor--?"

"If not--well don't let us dwell on unpleasant subjects. I want you
to ride with these gringos. Listen to all that they say. Talk to
them and learn from them all that you can."

"Of what?"

"Of their destination--of where they are going--what they are going
to do when they get there, and so on. You understand?"

"Perfectly senor. But they have paid me well and promised more.
Senor Bell is a good man. He is--"