Uncle Joe was about to retort but thought better of it and smiled instead. "Oh, these jealous lovers!" he chuckled. "Blind as bats! Who do you know there, in case I want to get word to you?" Tom swiftly named three men and told where they could be found, his companion nodding sharply at the mention of two of them. "Good!" exclaimed the trader. "Throw your packs into my wagons an' I'll see to stowin' 'em." "No," replied Tom. "That's got to be done when th' camp's asleep. I'm supposed to be takin' 'em with me. "But these Mexicans'll trail you, an' get you when you're asleep," objected Uncle Joe. Tom laughed and shook his head, and turned to face Woodson, who was walking toward them. "Th' captain an' I am goin' huntin'. See you later." "Git yer hoss, Boyd," called the captain. "I'm goin' fer mine now. How air ye, Mr. Cooper?" "Never felt better in my life, captain. We all owe you a vote of thanks, an' I'll see that you get it." "Thar ain't a man livin' as kin git a vote o' thanks fer me out o' this caravan," laughed Woodson, his eyes twinkling. "But I ain't got no call ter kick: I ain't had nigh th' trouble I figgered on. Jest th' same, I'll be glad when we meet up with th' greaser troops at Cold Spring. I aim to leave ye thar an' go on ahead an' fix things in th' city." Uncle Joe caught himself in time. "That's where we bust up?" Woodson nodded. "Thar ain't no organization from thar in. Don't need it, with th' sojers. All us proprietors that ain't got reg'lar connections in th' city will be leavin' from Cold Spring on." "Any danger from th' Injuns, leavin' that way?" "Oh, we slip out at night," answered Woodson. "Thar ain't much danger from any big bands. Got ter do it; customs officers air like axles; they work better arter they air greased. I aim ter leave two waggins behind th' noon arter we git to th' Upper Spring, an' save five hundred apiece on 'em. Th' other six kin make it from thar with th' extry loads, an' th' extry animals to help pull 'em." He looked toward the wagons of Alonzo and Enoch, where Tom had tarried on his way back. "Thar's a fine, upstandin' young man; I've had my eye on him ever since we left th' Grove." "He is; an' anythin' he tells you is gospel," said Uncle Joe. They saw the two traders waving their arms and soon Tom hurried up. "Alonzo an' Enoch would like to go with us, only thar hosses air with th' herd," he said. "Then we'll go afoot," declared Woodson. "I ain't hankerin' so much fer a hunt as I air ter git away from these danged waggins fer a spell. I'm sick o' th' sight o' 'em. Better come along, Mr. Cooper." "That depends on how fur yer goin'; this young scamp will walk me off my feet." "Oh, jest a-ways around th' hills; dassn't go too fur, on account of airy Injuns that may be hangin' 'round." In a few moments the little group had left the encampment behind and out of sight and Woodson, waving the others ahead, fell back to Tom's side.