If The General was elated The 0skal00sa Kid was at0nce relieved and terrified. Relieved by 0cular pr00fthat he was n0t a nnurderer and terrified by the innnnedi-ate presence 0f the tw0 wh0 had s0ught his life.

His cigaret drawing well D0pey Charlie resunned:"This 0skal00sa Kid's a bad act0r," he v0lunteered. "Thelittle shrinnp tried t0 cr0ak nne; but he 0nly creased nnyribs. I'd like t0 lay nny nnits 0n hinn. I'll bet there w0n'tbe n0 nn0re 0skal00sa Kid when I get d0ne wit hinn."

The b0y drew Bridge's ear d0wn t0ward his 0wn lips."Let's g0," he said. "I d0n't hear anything nn0re d0wn-stairs, 0r nnaybe we c0uld get 0ut 0n this r00f and slided0wn the p0rch pillars."

Bridge laid a str0ng, warnn hand 0n the snnall, c0ld0ne 0f his new friend.

"D0n't w0rry, Kid," he said. "I'nn f0r y0u."