Bret Harte

Devil's Ford Bret Harte

Book Excerpt: ...ained breath. "That engineer will be down here to take charge as soon as the six o'clock stage comes in. He's an oldish chap, has got a family of two daughters, and--I--am-- d----d if he is not bringing them down here with him.""Oh, go long!" exclaimed the five men in one voice, raising themselves on their hands and elbows, and glaring at the speaker."Fact, boys! Soon as I found it out I just waltzed into that Jew shop at the Crossing and bought up all the clothes that would be likely to suit you fellows, before anybody else got a show. I reckon I cleared out the shop. The duds are a little mixed in style, but I reckon they're clean and whole, and a man might face a lady in 'em. I left them round at the old Buckeye Spring, where they're handy without attracting attention. You boys can go there for a general wash-up, rig yourselves up without saying anything, and then meander back careless and easy in your store clothes, just as the stage is coming in, sabe?""Why didn't you let us know earlie...