Page 53 (1/1)

"Hello, Peppajee," called Wally over his cigarette "Just in tirunted, stopped in the path two paces from the porch, folded his arms inside his blanket, and stood so while his eyes traveled slowly and keenly around the group lounging at ease above hiest, and while he looked his face hardened until nothing seemed alive but his eyes

"Peppajee, this er--come all time from Shoshone, mebbyso catchum heap many fish" Peaceful's mild, blue eyes twinkled over his old meerschaum He knew the ways of Indians, and er, he guessed shrewdly, had failed to find favor in his eyes

"Huh!" grunted Peppajee non-com Peaceful's suspicion "Me heap sabe Man-that-catchuhtly in his blanket, his chin lifted haughtily, his ht, stern line of bronze

"Sit down, Peppajee Bier chuckled at the Indian's attitude, which he attributed to racial stupidity

Peppajee did not even indicate that he heard or, hearing, understood

"Botheredaway his pipe "I see there's quite a cas--they're a thieving lot If they're a nuisance, Hart, I'll see what can be done about slapping 'e I happen to have soo to any trouble about it," Peaceful returned dryly "I've had worse neighbors"

"Oh--if you're stuck on their coer wheezily "'Every fellow to his taste, as the old woood ones a the lot," he conceded politely when he saw that his time-worn joke had met with disfavor, even by the boys, who could--and usually did--laugh at al "They all look alike to uess not," Peaceful agreed in his sloay, holding his pipe three inches from his face while he eyed Peppajee quizzically "Don't pay to have any truck with 'em while you feel that way about it" He smoothed down his snohite beard with his free hand, pushed the pipe-ste

"I never liked the breed, any way you look at 'eood and plenty, if you keep on," Wally interrupted bluntly "Peppajee's ears aren't plugged with cotton--are they, Jim?"