CHAPTER IX 

Both men were awake early, silent with the premonition of trouble ahead, thoughtful of the fact that the time for the long-planned action was at hand. It was remarkable that a man as loquacious as Euchre could hold his tongue so long; and this was significant of the deadly nature of the intended deed. During breakfast he said a few words customary in the service of food. At the conclusion of the meal he seemed to come to an end of deliberation. 

"Buck, the sooner the better now," he declared, with a glint in his eye. "The more time we use up now the less surprised Bland'll be." 

"I'm ready when you are," replied Duane, quietly, and he rose from the table. 

"Wal, saddle up, then," went on Euchre, gruffly. "Tie on them two packs I made, one fer each saddle. You can't tell--mebbe either hoss will be carryin' double. It's good they're both big, strong hosses. Guess thet wasn't a wise move of your Uncle Euchre's--bringin' in your hosses an' havin' them ready?" 

"Euchre, I hope you're not going to get in bad here. I'm afraid you are. Let me do the rest now," said Duane. 

The old outlaw eyed him sarcastically. 

"Thet 'd be turrible now, wouldn't it? If you want to know, why, I'm in bad already. I didn't tell you thet Alloway called me last night. He's gettin' wise pretty quick." 

"Euchre, you're going with me?" queried Duane, suddenly divining the truth. 

"Wal, I reckon. Either to hell or safe over the mountain! I wisht I was a gun-fighter. I hate to leave here without takin' a peg at Jackrabbit Benson. Now, Buck, you do some hard figgerin' while I go nosin' round. It's pretty early, which 's all the better."  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. Who is not usually so quiet?
2. Who is being less talkative than usual?
3. Who is being uncharacteristically silent?
Q2:
1. What is strapped to the saddles?
2. What do the saddles have attached to them?
3. What is fixed onto the saddles?
Q3:
1. Who is the older one, Duane or Euchre?
2. Between Duane and Euchre, which is the oldest?
3. Who is the eldest between Duane and Euchre?
Q4:
1. What sort of look did Euchre give Duane?
2. In what way did Euchre look at Duane?
3. How could the look that Euchre gave Duane be described?
Q5:
1. How did Duane and Euchre feel about the future when they woke up?
2. What sort of feeling about the future did Duane and Euchre wake up with in the morning?
3. What were Duane and Euchre's thoughts regarding the future upon waking up?
Q6:
1. Did Duane and Euchre talk while they walked?
2. Did Duane and Euchre have a conversation while walking?
3. Did either Duane or Euchre say some words as they walked?
Q7:
1. What did Duane suggest to Euchre?
2. What suggestion did Duane have for Euchre?
3. What was Duane's advice for Euchre?
Q8:
1. Is Euchre probably going to agree with Duane's suggestion?
2. Is Euchre likely to go along with Duane's suggestion?
3. Will Duane's suggestion probably be taken up by Duane?
Q9:
1. Who talked to Euchre the night before?
2. Who had spoken with Euchre the previous night?
3. Who did Euchre hear from the night prior?
Q10:
1. Was the plan clear to Duane?
2. Did Duane comprehend what the plan was?
3. Was the plan comprehensible to Duane?
Q11:
1. What is Euchre planning?
2. What plan does Euchre have?
3. What idea does Euchre have up his sleeve?
Q12:
1. What does Euchre wish he was?
2. What kind of man does Euchre wish to be?
3. What role would Euchre like to have?
Q13:
1. Who does Euchre want to fight against?
2. Who does Euchre wish to get in a fight with?
3. Who would Euchre like to spar with?
Q14:
1. Did Euchre want to linger around after breakfast?
2. Was Euchre trying to remain where they were once breakfast was over?
3. Did Euchre wish to stay around after breakfast?
Q15:
1. Why did Euchre want to saddle up after breakfast?
2. What was Euchre's reason for wanting to leave right after breakfast?
3. Why did Euchre think it best to saddle up once breakfast was over?
