"But I ain't a-tellin' nothin' to nobody." "Well, have _I_ ever asked you to tell me anything ?" demanded Patches.
"No, you ain't--that's right--you sure been square with me, Patches, an' I ain't fergettin' it.

Be you sure 'nuf my friend, Patches?
Honest-to-God, now, be you ?" His question was pitiful, and Patches assured the poor fellow that he had no wish to be anything but his friend, if only Yavapai Joe would accept his help.
"Then," said Joe pleadingly, "if you mean all that you been sayin' about wantin' to help me, you'll do somethin' fer me right now." "What can I do, Joe ?" "You kin promise me that you won't say nothin' to nobody 'bout me an' him back there." Patches, to demonstrate his friendliness, answered without thought, "Certainly, I'll promise that, Joe." "You won't tell nobody ?" "No, I won't say a word." The poor fellow's face revealed his gratitude.

"I'm obliged to you, Patches, I sure am, an' I ain't fergettin' nothin', either.

You're my friend, all right, an' I'm your'n.

I got to be a-hittin' it up now.
Nick'll jest nachally gimme hell for bein' gone so long." "Good-by, Joe!" "So long, Patches! An' don't you get to thinkin' that I'm fergettin' how me an' you is friends." When Patches reviewed the incident, as he rode back to the ranch, he questioned if he had done right in promising Joe.