"
"An' dis?" Byrne shoved a thumb at Oda Iseka.
"We'll take him with us--it wouldn't be safe to let him go
now."
"Why not croak him?" suggested Byrne.
"Not unless we have to," replied Theriere; "he's just a
boy--we'll doubtless have all the killing we want among the
men before we get out of this."
"I never did have no use fer Chinks," said the mucker, as
though in extenuation of his suggestion that they murder the
youth. For some unaccountable reason he had felt a sudden
compunction because of his thoughtless remark. What in the
world was coming over him, he wondered. He'd be wearing
white pants and playing lawn tennis presently if he continued
to grow much softer and more unmanly.
So the three set out through the jungle, following a trail
which led around to the north of the village. Theriere walked
ahead with the boy's arm in his grasp. Byrne followed closely
behind. They reached their destination in the rear of Oda
Yorimoto's "palace" without interruption or detection. Here
they reconnoitered through the thick foliage.
"Dere's a little winder in de back of de house," said Byrne.
"Dat must be where dem guys cooped up de little broiler."
"Yes," said Theriere, "it would be in the back room which
the boy described.
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