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They found that Obed and the Panther had already done the most of it, and when it was all finished Fields and Carter started back with the three horses, heavily laden. As the night promised to be mild, and the snow was gone, Ned, Obed and the Panther remained in the grove with the rest of their food supply.
Another figure was projected from the arroyo and stood upon the bank facing him, not more than twenty feet away. Simultaneously Obed White and Edward Fulton advanced, shook hands and laughed. "You kept me here waiting in this gully at least half an hour," said Obed. "Time and I waited long on you." "But no longer than I waited on you," said Ned. "Why didn't you think of whistling the tune sooner?"
Carossa swore fluently, and bent a look of deep reproach upon Ned and Obed. "Señors," he said, "this is an injustice, nay more, it is a crime. You come upon the territory over which we range. You put us to the trouble of stopping you, and you have nothing. All our risk and work are wasted." Obed shook his head in apology. "It is not our fault," he said.
Ned with his rifle at salute fell into place at the end of one of the companies, and no one knew that he did not belong there. In the excitement of the moment he forgot all about the Panther and Obed. A thrill seemed to run through the whole Mexican force. It was the most impressive scene that Ned had ever beheld.
"There is nothing more to be said," replied Castenada with haughtiness. "We are here in a strong position and you cannot take us." He withdrew and Moore turned back with Ned and Obed. "I don't think he ever meant this parley for anything except to gain time," said Moore. "He's expecting a fresh Mexican force, but we'll see that it comes too late."
"Then you advise me to accept?" "If my advice is worth anything yes. Good night." Next day, when Captain Obed made his customary call at the ex-barber-shop, he ventured to ask the question uppermost in his mind. "Have you decided yet, John?" he asked. His friend looked at him. "Meaning what?" he queried. "Meanin' you know what I mean well enough. Have you decided to take your cousin's offer?"
"They'll charge in a moment," said Obed, "and they'll try to break their way through the wood. They cannot ride down this bluff." The Ring Tailed Panther raised his rifle, and looked down the sights. His eyes were glittering. He drew the trigger and the sharp lashing report ended the silence.
All this in his odd vernacular which Max tried to get the hang of, in order to judge whether it signified that the country boy lacked an education or not. He continued to be more or less mystified, however, though concluding that Obed was just one of those customary country boys often run across on farms who take especial delight in joking and playing little tricks which they consider humorous.
I'm going to kill her; and if you won't say nothing to nobody, but'll come up to-night and help me, you shall hev the horns and hide for your trouble." "Done," said Mr. Stagg. "I'll come." In the mean time, Uncle Obed took a pot of black paint, and covered the white face of the heifer, so as to prevent recognition.
"We'll just stay here," said Obed White. "You can run and you can run, but the time comes when you can run no more. They can't get at us from overhead, and they can't get at us from the sides. As for the front, I think that you and I, Ned, can hold it against as many Mexicans as may come."
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