s,
for we thought you were sure dead or held for ransom, and I give
it to you straight, Kit, there isn't a peso left on the two
ranches to ransom even Baby Buntin' if the little rat is still
alive, and that ain't all Kit: it don't seem possible that Conrad
and Singleton mortgaged both ranches clear up to the hilt, but it
sure has happened, every acre is plastered with ten per cent paper
and the compound interest strips it from Billie just as sure as if
it was droppin' through to China. When Conrad was on the job he
had it all blanketed, but now saltpeter can't save it without
cash. Billie is all right, but some peaked with worry. So am I.
But you cheer up, for I got plans for a hike up into Pinal County
for us three on a search for the Lost Dutchman Mine, lost fifty
years and I have a hunch we can find it, got the dope from an old
half breed who knew the Dutchman. So don't you worry about
trailing home broke. The Fidelio hombre said to look for you in
six days after Easter, and meet you with water at the Rio Seco, so
we'll do that. He called you capitan and said the Deliverer had
made you an officer; how about it? He let loose a line of talk
about your two women in the outfit, but I sort of stalled him on
that, so Billie wouldn't get it, for I reckon that's a greaser
lie, Kit, and you ain't hitched up to no gay Juanita down there. I
had a monkey and parrot time to explain even that Tula squaw to
Billie, for she didn't savvy--not a copper cent's worth! She is
right here now instructin' me, but I won't let her read this, so
don't you worry. She says to tell you it looks at last like our
old eagle bird will have a chance to flop its wings in France. The
pair of us is near about cross-eyed from watchin' the south trail
into Altar, and the east trail where the troops will go! She says
even if we are broke there is an adobe for you at Vijil's, and a
range for Buntin' and Pardner. Billie rides Pardner now instead of
Pat.

I reckon that's all Kit, and I've worked up a cramp on this
anyway. I figured that maybe you laid low down there till the
Singleton murder was cleared up, but I can alibi you on that
O. K., when Johnny comes marchin' home! So don't you worry.

Yours truly,
Pike.

He read it over twice, seeking out the lines with _her_ name and
dwelli