Читать книгу Grace Harlowe's Overland Riders at Circle O Ranch онлайн

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“You may search me,” was Hippy’s laughing reply. “Here come the other girls. Good gracious! Where do they expect to stow all that stuff? Jim-Sam, pull up here and sling your packs. Is that as fast as those mules can travel? If so you had better leave them at home.”

The guides were too busy arguing to give heed to Hippy’s words, but when they reached the station platform they took hold of the work with surprising alacrity and began rolling packs with skillful hands.

“What are they?” asked Emma, pointing to the lazy mules.

“Jest mules,” answered Jim without looking up, and Sam echoed his statement. “Don’t have to have no names. When my long-haired cayuse does somethin’ he oughtn’t, Sam gives him er kick, an’ when Sam’s critter cuts up capers I give his’n the boot.”

“No names?” wondered Emma. “Yes, but what do you call them when you want them to come to you?”

“Missie, what we calls ’em sometimes ain’t sootable fer a young woman to hear,” grinned Jim.

“Then kindly see that you do not call them,” retorted Emma, turning away.