PAINTED ROCK
shortly. And then I fled back to London, and took the boat run by old Tuckett's friend, and then back to Noo Orl'ans and so on to here, boys. And though I hed a good time and a surprisin' time, I'm glad to be back with you all. For it's easier to get on hyar than among duchesses, and I own it."
Pillsbury took the word, and spoke with dignity.
"Gentlemen," he said, "if some I know had reelated these surprisin' adventures to us I should hev said they lied, but I reckon that the modest way in which our friend Brazos Dick hez reelated them caunvinces us all of their trewth. Dick, my son, get off of the table and take a drink with me."
And Dick got off the table blushing with pleasure.
Then Ginger Gillett intervened.
"But there's a diff'culty in my mind, Pillsbury," he said. "Dick here says he was bailed out to answer to the charge of more or less killin' some men in a certain Jackville Street. Ain't that so?"
234
