Page:Morley roberts--Painted Rock.djvu/209

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THE TALE OF BRAZOS DICK

"Oh, it's all right."

"Tell us all about it, Charlie. What's wages like thar? 'Tain't all wheat, is it? Is San Francisco any sort of a town? Would I like it? Was you ever to Sacramento? I've heard that Sacramento is as hot as Yuma. Is it? Is there many cowboys in the State? I'd admire for you to tell me about California. For an Englishman I must say that you're death on travel and hev seen some. Go ahead, old son."

Another day he would rope me in to tell him all that there was to be told about British Columbia.

"I'd hev gone thar, Charlie, if it hedn't bin British. Thar ain't no true freedom where your flag flies. Is it true they'd hang me if I killed a man fair that I hated and hed sent word to that I'd shoot on sight?"

"It's mighty likely, Dick."

He shook his head with great disgust.

"I call that a hell of a country," said Dick. "Now tell us more about your town, London. Did you say that it would reach hayf way from thishyer ranch to Painted Rock, and is

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