CHAPTER IV.
REJECTING A PROPOSAL.
Dick Bristol smiled grimly.
He knew that Captain Joaquin was no fool, and also that the outlaw didnot take him to be one.
Was this the chance for his life the road-raider intended to give him?It looked so. Dick could plainly see the string attached to the gift.
He did not respond immediately.
"You don't answer," urged the Red Rover.
"What is the use? Were I to accept, all in good faith, you would nottrust me."
"Why not?"
"Because I am Deadwood Dick, the Dead-Set Detective and Rogue-Runner."
Captain Joaquin smiled in his turn.
He and his men had now removed their masks.
"That is a good enough reason, certainly," he said.
"And that is the only show you intend to give me?"
"What else can I do? I will give you an equal share with the rest of mymen of the plunder we have taken to-day, according to the rate I dividewith them, and make you one of us. I can't do any more than that."
"There is no use our trying to fool each other, Captain Joaquin."
"Then you don't believe that I will do what I say?"
"Yes, I believe you will do that, if I say I will accept theproposition."
"Then what is the matter with your accepting it? You would make afine lieutenant for me, now that poor Hoxey is dead--thanks to thatexpress-messenger."
"I had rather deal openly with you then underhanded, Red Rover," wasDick's response.
"What do you mean?"
"Just what you know--that I am first, last and all the time againstbirds of your feather, and that were I to accept your offer it would beonly to do you a trick at the first opportunity."
A murmur of admiration ran through the company of cutthroats.
"That being the case, I must recall the offer, that's all. I have noway of convincing you that I meant it in good faith."
"No, you would find it impossible to do that."
"Well, I have given you the show I promised."
"And it was about what I expected, at your hands. You have got me; youmean to do away with me. Well, I do not blame you for that."
"Thunder! but you are a brave cuss, Dick Bristol! What a team you andI would make, if we could only have confidence in each other and worktogether! But, that is out of the question."
"Entirely out of the question."
"Then, what can you propose?"
"Let me go, and I pledge you my word not to move against you for aperiod of ten days, you to observe the same armistice."
"And after that?"
"War to the knife again!"
"I hope you do not take me for a fool."
"Not at all, save only that all villains are fools in that they gowrong instead of right."
"Have a care, Bristol! Some word of yours may cost your life without amoment's notice. I am not the man to brook many such insults. I giveyou warning."
"Neither are you a coward, Red Rover. You would not shoot me downhandcuffed as I am."
Again a murmur ran through the band.
"You have nothing more to propose?"
"No; I considered that proposition a sort of even exchange; that wasall."
"An exchange? Where does the exchange come in, I would like to know? Ido not see that I would be getting anything out of it."
"It would be giving me my life for yours. I could have picked you offeasily when you entered that car after me, but spared you."
"Ha! ha! Lucky for you you didn't do that; you would have been a deadman the same instant."
"And you would have been just as dead, for I seldom miss my mark when Itake a bead on a man."
"Then why didn't you shoot me? Come, now, why didn't you?"
"Because I knew it would cost the lives of the others in the car, whohadn't the nerve to follow where I led, on the first occasion. It wouldhave been much easier to have shot you than it was to take those twofellows who already had the drop on the car."
"Well, that cuts no ice with me, since you didn't spare me for any loveyou have for me. There is really no reason why I should spare you, thatI can see."
"Nor I."
"Then what are you kicking about?"
"All I am asking is a fair chance. When I put on these handcuffs I hadyour word that I would get that."
"And I have given it and you have refused it. I can do nothing morethan that. It has been war to the knife between us, as you expressedit, and I have won the fight. I would be a fool to give up theadvantage gained."
"Just as you have a mind to look at it."
"Suppose you had captured me, would you let me go again?"
"No, sir!"
"Then say no more about it. Neither can I let you go. I would be a foolif I did."
"Well, I have to agree with you, Captain Joaquin. As I said before,there is no use in our trying to fool each other. We are foes to thebitter end, and so be it."
The outlaw gave a nod and a wave of the hand in acquiescence, andwhich, at the same time, cut the subject short.
A little later he called a halt.
"Here, men," he said, "is the place for us to part company. You knowwhat the programme is."
They answered that they did.
"You, Hurley, I will make my lieutenant in place of Hoxey. Take the menon at speed to Injun Ford, and there divide your force, half going upthe creek and half down. Part by twos, and scatter to every point ofthe compass until the time of meeting, as agreed."
"All right; we understand," answered Hurley.
Captain Joaquin dismounted.
"But, what about ther prisoner?" his lieutenant inquired. "What are wegoin' to do with him?"
"Hang me if I know," responded the Red Rover, rubbing his chin in ameditative manner.
"Jist whatever you say, captain," assured Hurley.
"I am afraid to trust him with you, boys," decided Captain Joaquin,after a few moments' reflection. "He would be sure to find the softspot in your hearts, if you have got such organs, and play upon it. Iguess I will take him with me. Dismount, Deadwood Dick!"
"And be murdered in cold blood somewhere in the mountain passes?"
"You will be shot here and now if you don't."
"Well, it is about as broad as it is long," observed Dick, throwing hisleg over and leaping lightly to the ground. "You hold the winning card,captain."
"Yes, and I intend to play it for all there is in it, too," was therejoinder. "Come, boys, off with you, and make all the time you can,for the sheriff and his posse will be on your trail in less than twohours."
"And let him catch us if he can!" cried Hurley, as he touched his horseand led the way, the riderless horses being led.
The others cheered as they followed, and as soon as they had passed outof sight, Captain Joaquin turned to Dick and said:
"Now, then, Deadwood Dick, you follow me."