Death Valley Days 38-06-17 (398) The Burro Who Had No Name

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Death Valley Days 38-06-17 (398) The Burro Who Had No Name"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Episode: Death Valley Days 38-06-17 (398) The Burro Who Had No Name
• Release Date: May 10, 2025
• Description: Reliving the Golden Age of Radio with classic storytelling from the era before television, featuring beloved shows such as The Shadow, Abbott & Costello, Amos & Andy, Dragnet, and many more.

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Introduction

Death Valley Days transports listeners back to the early 20th century, weaving a tale of friendship, superstition, and redemption set against the rugged backdrop of the American desert. In this episode, titled "The Burro Who Had No Name," listeners follow the journey of two prospectors, Smitty and Ole, as they navigate challenges in their quest for fortune.

Characters

• Smitty: A seasoned prospector, pragmatic yet increasingly suspicious of the white burro.
• Ole (Olie) Martin: Smitty's loyal partner, more superstitious and open to unconventional ideas.
• Narrator/Ranger: Guides the story, providing context and transitioning between scenes.

Plot Summary

Setting the Stage: The story unfolds in the mining camp of Rhyolite in the year 1905. Smitty and Ole are preparing for their expedition into the hills, reliant on a team of burros to carry their supplies.

The Purchase of the Burros:

• [05:03] Walter Scott Smith and Olie Martin negotiate with a local seller for a string of burros. Smitty is particularly interested in two fine riding burros named Blackjack and Samson.
• Smitty: “We’ll give you 30. Ah, you go to blazes... That’s highway robbery.”
• Narrator: Highlights the tension over the pricing, emphasizing the value Smitty places on the animals.

Introduction of the White Burro:

• During the acquisition, Smitty and Ole encounter a distinct burro that stands out due to its unusual white coloration.
• Smitty: “I never paid as much as $50 for a burro in my life... I can give you a Cheaper pack burro in place of one of them you picked out.”

Early Signs of Trouble:

• The white burro begins to exhibit strange behaviors, including stealing food.
• [07:57] Smitty discovers an extra burro in their pack, identifying it as the troublesome white burro.
• Smitty: “He’s a grinning at us, gloating over us. The blasted little devil. You’re to blame for this, Olie.”

Growing Tensions:

• Smitty's frustration with the white burro strains his relationship with Ole.
• Smitty: “We could swing $15... You must have been out walking in the sun without your hat on.”
• The white burro’s antics escalate, culminating in the disappearance of freshly baked bread.
• George: “You just promised me you'd get rid of him.”

The Rattlesnake Incident:

• The following morning, the white burro leads Ole into a dangerous situation where Ole is bitten by a rattlesnake.
• Smitty: “Look, he’s leaving. Now. What did I tell you?”
• George: “Look here on the nose. You can see where the fangs went in. Yes, sir.”

Smitty’s Departure:

• Frustrated and blaming the white burro for their misfortunes, Smitty decides to abandon the partnership.
• Smitty: “I mean it, Oli. You and me’s been prospecting together since Panamint days... Our trails is going to part, so help me.”

Redemption and Reconciliation:

• Ten days later, in a saloon in Rhyolite, Smitty grapples with guilt and loneliness.
• The white burro reappears, guiding Smitty back to find an injured Ole.
• Smitty: “He turned up in Rhyolite just like... Said he was gonna stay out another 30 days.”
• Realizing the burro's true value, Smitty and Ole reconcile, deciding to name the once-mistrusted white burro, solidifying their renewed partnership.
• George: “We’re still pardoners, ain’t we, Smitty?”
• Smitty: “Then let’s give him a name now, Smitty. After all, he’s earned it.”

Key Conflicts and Resolutions

1. Superstition vs. Pragmatism:

   • Conflict: Smitty’s skepticism and belief that the white burro brings bad luck clash with Ole’s more open-minded approach.
   • Resolution: The white burro’s pivotal role in saving Ole forces Smitty to reevaluate his prejudices, restoring their friendship.

2. Trust and Partnership:

   • Conflict: Misunderstandings and blame strain the bond between Smitty and Ole.
   • Resolution: Through adversity, they recommit to their partnership, recognizing the importance of trust and mutual support.

3. Human vs. Animal Bonding:

   • Conflict: The white burro is initially seen as a nuisance, but his actions reveal a deeper connection between the animals and their human companions.
   • Resolution: Naming the burro cements his place in their lives, symbolizing acceptance and harmony.

Notable Quotes

• Smitty on Pricing:
  “We’ll give you two of the finest riding bars in Nevada... $35 for a pack burro and 50 for a saddle burro.”
  [05:04]

• Smitty on the White Burro’s Luck:
  “Why them pack animals bring 35. Holy smokes.”
  [05:20]

• Smitty’s Frustration:
  “You ain’t suggesting that we buy that white Jack? Well, pay $15 for a Jonah, a jinx, a hoodoo only. You’re crazy.”
  [06:15]

• Smitty’s Confrontation:
  “We could swing $15. You think I’d be fool enough to go prospecting with a white bur? Hey, what’s the matter with a white bur? Why, they’re unlucky, that’s what.”
  [06:03]

• Smitty’s Ultimatum:
  “I mean it, Oli. You and me’s been prospecting together since Panamint days... Our trails is going to part, so help me.”
  [06:45]

• Reconciliation Moment:
  “We’re still pardoners, ain’t we, Smitty?”
  “He’s earned it.”
  [23:25] - [23:29]

Conclusion

"The Burro Who Had No Name" serves as a compelling narrative exploring the dynamics of friendship, the impact of superstition, and the profound bonds between humans and animals. Through the trials faced by Smitty and Ole, listeners witness a journey from mistrust and conflict to understanding and unity. The white burro, once a symbol of bad luck, ultimately becomes a beacon of redemption, embodying the unforeseen ways in which trust and cooperation can overcome adversity.

This episode exemplifies the timeless appeal of Death Valley Days, offering rich storytelling that resonates with themes of loyalty, resilience, and the human spirit's capacity for change.

Transcript

[Narrator]

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[Smitty]

Good evening, folks. Good evening.

[Ole]

And a hearty welcome to your.

[Narrator]

And now, Ranger, what's the story for tonight?

[Ole]

Well, it's a story I hardly expect you to believe, but it's the absolute truth just the same.

[Narrator]

Why, oh, Ranger, you know I believe every word you utter on the air.

[Ole]

Say, George, you don't like the way you say on the air. However, I let it pass this time. And now you just pin back your ears and hark to the story of the burrow that had no name.

[Narrator]

Wouldn't it be a good idea before you start, old Ranger, to explain exactly what a burrow is? There may be some of our listeners who don't know.

[Ole]

Don't know what a burrow is?

[Narrator]

Well, not by that name, anyway.

[Ole]

Sure they do. Why, the word burrow is as common as his horse.

[Narrator]

About where you come from maybe everywhere. It's not in the encyclopedia.

[Ole]

How do you know?

[Narrator]

Because I looked. When you told us last week about this Burrough story, I thought I'd well, study up a bit on Burroughs.

[Ole]

Oh, steal a march on the audience, eh? So you went to the encyclopedia?

[Narrator]

Yes, and I took down the volume labeled Bray B R A I to cast Bray.

[Ole]

Well that was a good thing to look under.

[Narrator]

Just the same, the word burrow was nowhere to be found.

[Ole]

Maybe you don't know how to spell it.

[Narrator]

B U R R O.

[Ole]

That's right. You're sure it wasn't there?

[Narrator]

Absolutely. From Elihu Burke. They jumped right to John Burroughs. Well, so then I turned to donkey and all it said there was C Ass.

[Ole]

And all it said there I suppose was C Balaam. Well, since you couldn't find the word burrow in your dictionary, George, I'll enlighten you.

[Smitty]

A bird is the same as a.

[Ole]

Donkey or a jackass. In the desert we generally call them jacks for short. They stand about 4 foot high, their coats as furry. Their ears is long. Their tails is sort of like a piece of rope frayed at the end. Their hoofs is small and sharp, but their teeth is big and sharp and their voices is something fearful. There you are. And now since you got a mental picture of the animal, well, let's get going on the yarn. The scene opens in the mining camp of Rhyolite. It's the year 1905. Walter Scott Smith noticed Smitty and his partner Olie Martin are negotiating with a feller in Rhyolite for a string of burros with which to start out into the hills.

[George]

Yeah.

[Smitty]

Now if you can just fix us up with a couple of good riding burrows, I can give you two of the finest riding bars in Nevada.

[Ole]

Blackjack here and Samson.

[George]

How much? 50 a piece. 50?

[Smitty]

We'll give you 30. Ah, you go to blazes. Why them pack animals bring 35.

[George]

Holy smokes.

[Smitty]

Well that's highway robbery. Try and buy them somewhere else then. $35 for a pack burrow and 50 for a saddle burrow.

[Ole]

These two critters is worth it too.

[Smitty]

I've rode them both myself. And I know my blackjack brung me once. All the way from Gold Circle to battle mountain. A 60 mile trip in 10 hours. And Sam said we'll give you 40 a piece for em. 50 or nothing. I never paid as much as $50 for a burro in my life. I'll tell you what I can do.

[George]

I can give you a Cheaper.

[Smitty]

Pack burro in place of one of.

[George]

Them you picked out.

[Smitty]

Yeah? Which one? That one over yonder, sniffing at the pile of tin cans. Now, I could give you a white borough.

[George]

Yeah? I'll let you have him for $20.

[Smitty]

I wouldn't take him as a gift.

[George]

15.

[Smitty]

You think I'd be fool enough to go prospecting with a white bur? Hey, what's the matter with a white bur? Why, they're unlucky, that's what. Unluckiest thing there is. So you don't really believe that, do you?

[George]

We could swing $15.

[Smitty]

You ain't suggesting that we buy that white Jack? Well, pay $15 for a Jonah, a jinx, a hoodoo only. You're crazy. You must have been out walking in the sun without your hat on.

[George]

He ain't really white, Smitty. He. He's kind of grayish.

[Smitty]

He's as white as you or me.

[George]

Well, we ain't exactly lilies. I'll make you a price of $12 for him. How's that?

[Smitty]

You shut up.

[George]

Yeah, I'm talking to your partner.

[Smitty]

If he buys that white burr off of you, he's no longer my partner.

[George]

Oh, Smitty.

[Smitty]

I mean it, Oli. You and me's been prospecting together since Panamint days. We've slept under the same blanket, drunk out of the Same canteen, gone 50, 50 on every strike we've made. I think a heap of you. But if you pay as much as two bits for that, that ill wind yonder our trails is going to part, so help me.

[George]

I guess we'll just take four burros, mister.

[Ole]

It was on the second night out. Ole and Smitty were finished with their supper and Ole went over to feed the leavings to the burros.

[George]

All right, I'm coming. One at a time now. What? Why, hello.

[Smitty]

What's the matter?

[George]

Am I counting noses? Right. One, two, three.

[Smitty]

One of our jacks missing?

[George]

No, we. Seems we've acquired an extra one.

[Smitty]

Got five now, huh?

[George]

Yeah.

[Smitty]

Well, if those fool greenhorns don't know enough to tie their critters up, they deserve to lose them. Let me have a look.

[George]

So. Huh?

[Smitty]

It's the white burra.

[George]

Well, it's a white burra.

[Smitty]

It's the same white bird that that sharper in Rhyolite tried to palm off on us.

[George]

Oh, now, that ain't likely, Smitty.

[Smitty]

I recognize him in the dark once more. He recognizes us. Look at that glint in his eye.

[George]

I don't see no glint.

[Smitty]

He's A grinning at us, gloating over us. The blasted little devil. You're to blame for this, Olie. It's all your fault.

[George]

My fault?

[Smitty]

It's on account of you he's followed us here, and it's up to you now to get rid of him.

[George]

Well, how?

[Smitty]

How? You ask me how? Well, we'll fire rocks at him, cuss him, kick him.

[George]

I wouldn't want to do that.

[Smitty]

All right, then, I will.

[George]

No, you leave him to me. I'll make it plain to him that he ain't welcome around here.

[Smitty]

Well, see that you do, pronto. I'll be washing up the supper thing.

[George]

All right. I'll hear you critters. Here's your grub. How. Don't you be so greedy, Samson. Don't you know there's others to share.

[Smitty]

With you through with that tail yet, Oli?

[George]

Yep.

[Smitty]

Then I'll take it and wash it along with the frying pan and. Holy Martin.

[George]

What's the matter?

[Smitty]

You fed that borough which burrow? The white bur.

[George]

Now, Smitty, you needn't deny it.

[Smitty]

Look at him licking his lips. Well, that's just some bacon grease he's trying to get off his whiskers.

[George]

You are imagining things, Smitty.

[Smitty]

Is that piece of flapjack sticking to his nose my imagination?

[George]

Oh, well, you fed that burra and.

[Smitty]

You just promised me you'd get rid of him.

[George]

I will, Smithy. Honest.

[Smitty]

Honest.

[George]

Right away.

[Smitty]

It's too late. We'll never be rid of him now. That evil little blighter will trail us wherever we go, bringing us nothing but bad luck.

[George]

Look, he's leaving. Now. What did I tell you? Yeah, he's walking right off into the desert. You see, he savvies.

[Smitty]

He savvies that supper is over. But he'll be back. You just wait and see.

[Ole]

The next morning when Ole opened his eyes, he looked around fearfully. Then he breathed a sigh of relief. The white burrow was nowheres in sight. Well, breakfast over. The pardners packed up their outfit and moved on farther into the hills. That evening they made a dry camp. And while Smitty unpacked and prepared supper, Ole went off with one of the pack burrows to rustle a supply of firewood. It was almost dark when he returned.

[Smitty]

Well, I begun to think he was lost or had struck gold, maybe.

[George]

No, just that wood was scarce. This critter wanted to lay down all the time. Hey, what smells so good?

[Smitty]

I got a treat for us tonight.

[George]

What is it?

[Smitty]

Fresh bread.

[Ole]

No.

[Smitty]

Huh?

[George]

Why, you old son of A gun too low. Where are they?

[Smitty]

In the Dutch oven, keeping warm.

[George]

Fresh bread.

[Smitty]

Yes, sir. Hey, when it's my turn to do the cooking, I produce real grub.

[George]

Well, if you're casting aspersions on my meals. Hey, what else we going to have?

[Smitty]

Mulligan, coffee, Dawson plums with a loaf.

[George]

Of bread a piece. Why, that ought to do it.

[Smitty]

Hey, we're saving one of them loaves for tomorrow.

[George]

Ah, don't be stingy.

[Smitty]

You call a. A half a loaf of bread stingy? Say, them big loaves.

[George]

Well, I could eat a whole batch without any help. I'm hungry as a wolf.

[Smitty]

Well, everything's ready as soon as you are.

[George]

Well, then, let's eat.

[Smitty]

All right. I'll be decing up the mulligan.

[George]

And I'll get the bread out of the oven.

[Smitty]

That oven was a good buy, Ole.

[George]

Yeah.

[Smitty]

Wait till you see the crust of that bread. A nice even golden brown.

[George]

Where'd you say it was, Smitty?

[Smitty]

What?

[George]

The bread.

[Smitty]

Why, right where you're looking. In the oven.

[George]

No, it ain't.

[Smitty]

Oh, sure it is.

[George]

I tell you it ain't. The oven's empty.

[Smitty]

Say, what have you been drinking?

[George]

Well, if you don't believe me, come.

[Smitty]

On and look for yourself. Oh, you never could find nothing no way, see? Well, I'll be darned. Where'd you put me? You sneaked him out and hit him. I know.

[George]

I did nothing of the kind.

[Smitty]

Come on, tell me.

[George]

Why ain't so much as laid eyes on them loaves of bread? Smitty, I swear.

[Smitty]

Well, somebody's took them. They was in this oven here not five minutes ago.

[George]

You sure?

[Smitty]

Of course I'm sure. I come over, took a look at them, see if they was done just before you come in.

[George]

You don't suppose one of the burrows could have stolen, do you, while your back was turned?

[Smitty]

How could a burra lift up the lid of a Dutch oven carry off two loaves of bread?

[George]

We'd have to be educated.

[Smitty]

Lamest thing I ever knowed. Two loaves of bread disappearing into thin air.

[George]

Maybe you didn't bake them at all. Maybe you just dreamed it. You smelled them, didn't you? That's right, I did.

[Smitty]

Holy.

[George]

Yeah.

[Smitty]

Olie, look over yonder where I'm pointing. What's that sticking out from behind that big boulder? What?

[George]

It looks like a couple of long cactus leaves. It's a pair of ears, maybe.

[Smitty]

White ears Only it's.

[George]

Now, don't jump at conclusions, Smitty. Let's go.

[Smitty]

See, I told you this had happened, I knowed he'd turn up again.

[George]

Honk, honk, honk, honk, honk.

[Smitty]

There. And you see I was right.

[George]

Sure enough. It's old Whitie.

[Smitty]

Don't.

[George]

What's the matter?

[Smitty]

Don't you dare give him a name.

[George]

Why not?

[Smitty]

Don't you know that once you name an animal he's yours?

[George]

Who says so?

[Smitty]

Why it stands to reason. You mean so long as he's got no name he's a stray, a stranger, a rank outsider. But just you give him a name, any kind of a name and he belongs to you.

[Ole]

I see.

[Smitty]

What are you laughing at?

[George]

For a stranger this fella has certainly made himself right at home. Look.

[Smitty]

My bread.

[George]

What's left of it.

[Smitty]

My beautiful fresh hot crusty bread. Oh you varmint you. You thieving little son of a rustler. You ferocious fuzz tail.

[George]

Careful Smitty, don't call him names.

[Smitty]

Calling him names ain't the same as giving him names. I can call him all the names in the dictionary if I feel like it. Yes, and I do.

[George]

Yes.

[Smitty]

Grin, grin. You lop eared, sawed off limb of Satan. You white curse. You evil eyed Aspenus, you. Well, I reckon I'll hit the hay.

[George]

Well you can turn in if you want. I'm going to set up a while longer. What fur? Oh, I just ain't sleepy, that's all. I'll smoke another pipe full and wait up for him.

[Smitty]

Huh?

[George]

Wait for who?

[Smitty]

You can't fool me, Olie. You're worrying about that burrow.

[George]

Do you suppose something has happened to him, Smitty?

[Smitty]

Well let's hope so. Then maybe our luck will change.

[George]

I can't see as we've had any bad luck on this trip.

[Smitty]

No, nor any good luck neither. We ain't smelled a smell of Orie.

[George]

Look.

[Smitty]

Where? Coming toward us out of the night.

[George]

What?

[Smitty]

It's. It's him.

[George]

The prodigal.

[Smitty]

Hush, hush will ya. If he hears you.

[George]

Well that ain't him. Why if it was him he'd be braying by now. That burro ain't makin a sound.

[Smitty]

It's his ghost then, come to hat us.

[George]

It's the spittin image. You're right Smitty, it is his ghost. No, him himself.

[Smitty]

What's he. What's he walking so queer for?

[George]

Why he's sick or hurt or something. What is it old boy? What's happened? Come over here by the fire where I can see you.

[Smitty]

His eyes is closed tight and his.

[George]

Head'S all swelled up.

[Smitty]

Say, what in tarnation.

[George]

Looks queer around the jaw, too. Open your mouth, fella, and let's have a look. Open your mouth.

[Smitty]

Won't, huh?

[George]

He can't. His teeth is clenched.

[Smitty]

What is it? Lock jaw?

[George]

Rattlesnake bite? Look here on the nose. You can see where the fangs went in. Yes, sir.

[Smitty]

He's done for. Then.

[George]

We may be able to save him.

[Smitty]

Save him?

[George]

We'll do our best, anyhow.

[Smitty]

Are you crazy?

[George]

Where's that permanganate of potassium?

[Smitty]

Holy.

[George]

Oh, here it is.

[Smitty]

What are you going to do?

[George]

Rub it in the wound, of course.

[Smitty]

Holy.

[George]

You stand still, old fellow. I won't hurt you. Now, this is going to do you good.

[Smitty]

Only have you went clean out of your senses. This critter's a jinx, a hoodoo.

[George]

We can't just stand by and watch him die.

[Smitty]

Well, why not? We don't want him. Nobody wants him.

[George]

That makes no difference. He's a poor dumb animal and he's in misery.

[Smitty]

Then put him out of it.

[George]

Well, just what I'm trying to do.

[Smitty]

I mean, shoot him, you fool.

[George]

No, you put that gun down.

[Smitty]

You quit working working on him then.

[George]

I can't, Smitty. Don't you see? I can't.

[Smitty]

Why can't you?

[George]

He come to us for help. He trusts us.

[Smitty]

Trusts us? A white burrow.

[George]

Well, taint his fault, he was born white. Only look, his eyes is opening. The potassium permanganate is beginning to work. Oh, his jaw is loosening. Now, if I can just get some whiskey down him.

[Smitty]

Hey, that's my whiskey.

[George]

It's our whiskey. Here, boy.

[Smitty]

Holy. I've stood for a lot. But if you pour so much as one drop of that liquor down that white varmint's throat, we bust up, you and me.

[George]

Tip your head back. That's it. Now let me stick the bottle in between your teeth. So.

[Smitty]

Holy. I'm warning you.

[George]

A little more now. We're through.

[Smitty]

Yeah, we're through, Smitty. You can take your pick of the burrs, Ole, and your share of the grub and things.

[George]

You're not going on?

[Smitty]

No, I'm going back to rhyolite.

[Ole]

And now, 10 days later, in a brilliantly lighted saloon in Rhyolite, we find Smitty doing his best to forget about Ole and the white burro.

[Smitty]

He's in his second childhood. That's all you can say for him.

[George]

Yeah, yeah.

[Smitty]

Have another. I don't mind if I do. Yes, sir. All he needs a nurse or a keeper or something. What's the matter how can you beat that? A burra walking straight in through the swinging doors. He's looking for a drink, sees heading straight for the bar. Jumping Jehoshaphat. It's the white burra.

[George]

What?

[Smitty]

Your burra I was just telling you about. He's come back to hoodoo me again. Ah, you're just seeing things.

[Narrator]

Here, have another drink.

[Smitty]

It's him, I tell you. Look. Look at that scar on his nose. That's where the rattlesnake bit him. Must mean Ole's back then. Funny he come back so soon. Said he was gonna stay out another 30 days. Say, maybe located something. Not with that white burrow alone.

[George]

Look out, look out.

[Smitty]

He's gonna bite you.

[Narrator]

Hey.

[Smitty]

Get away from me, you unlucky varmint. What do you mean grabbing hold of my coat? Let go of me. You hear me? Get away from me. Get out of here. Go on back to that old fool Ole. Yeah, that done it.

[Narrator]

He knows Oli's name all right, don't he?

[Smitty]

Why wouldn't he? Well, why don't you go? What are you standing there for? What are you looking at me like that for? Take them eyes off of me. You hear me?

[George]

Say.

[Smitty]

Say, he's trying to tell you something, Smitty. Oh, I ain't interested. Something's troubling him. Yeah, his conscience, maybe.

[Narrator]

You don't suppose something could have went.

[Smitty]

Wrong, do you, With Oie? Be his own fault if it did.

[Narrator]

I just wondered.

[Smitty]

Well, what could have happened to him?

[Narrator]

Oh, nothing.

[Smitty]

Most likely. O's a old desert rat. He knows all the water holes in Nevada. Got plenty of grub. Well, that being the case, how about another drink? No, no, I've had enough, thanks. This one's on the house. I can't stop now. All right, you. Where is he? Is he here in Rhyolite?

[George]

No.

[Smitty]

Then show me where. Hey, Submitted. Where you gone? Wherever this critter takes me. You mean I'm going to look up Olie?

[Ole]

Well, it was just about sundown of the third day out that they found him laying unconscious at the bottom of a narrow canyon.

[George]

Holy.

[Smitty]

Thank the Lord he's still alive.

[George]

Holy. Huh?

[Smitty]

It's me, Smitty.

[George]

Smitty.

[Smitty]

I come as fast as I could.

[George]

He brung you here, did he?

[Smitty]

Straight as a die.

[George]

Good boy. He.

[Smitty]

He turned up in Rhyolite just like.

[George]

I told him to.

[Smitty]

I knowed right off that something was wrong. What happened, Olie? Where you hurt?

[George]

My leg broke.

[Smitty]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I can see.

[George]

I was following some float up the mountain. It Was getting dark. Like a fool, I didn't want to stop. And somehow or other I lost my.

[Smitty]

Foot in it and fell clear down here. Yeah. Oh, a wonder you wasn't killed outright.

[George]

Shows how tough I am. Gosh, I knowed I could never make it back to town, even if I had a burra to ride.

[Smitty]

What happened to your burrs?

[George]

They went off. I don't know where all but this fell. He stuck by me until I. I sent him away to get help. I figured I had enough water to last Meagle. You could get here if you'd come.

[Smitty]

Why, Olear, of course I'd come.

[George]

I. I didn't know. I was sort of afraid.

[Smitty]

You think I'd let you die out here alone?

[George]

Alone with my samples.

[Smitty]

Huh.

[George]

They're around here summers.

[Smitty]

Samples of war.

[George]

I run across something mighty good. Smitty. Here. Here's one of them. Take a good look at us.

[Smitty]

Let me see. High grade.

[George]

I'll say.

[Smitty]

Real picture, Rock.

[George]

I'll bet she has saves a trip to Europe for ton. If we wanted to go to Europe. Which we don't.

[Smitty]

We?

[George]

You and me.

[Smitty]

Oh, but.

[George]

But, Oli, we're still pardoners, ain't we, Smitty? Olea.

[Smitty]

I don't deserve it after the way I treated you.

[George]

Heck, you just saved my life, didn't you?

[Smitty]

It wasn't me. It was the white borough.

[George]

A white borough.

[Smitty]

Oleg?

[George]

Yeah.

[Smitty]

Have you named him yet?

[George]

No.

[Smitty]

Then let's give him a name now, Smitty. After all, he's earned it.

[George]

You know what it'll mean, don't you?

[Smitty]

That he'll be ours for the rest of his life?

[George]

Yes. All right.

[Smitty]

I'm willing.

[Narrator]

You have been listening to another true story of Death Valley days brought to you by the Pacific Coast Borax Company, producers of 20 Mule Team Borax for household use. 20 Mule Team Borax soap chips in the big blue and yellow Sunshine box for washing clothes and dishes and the new Boraxo for toilet use. Your grocer can supply you with all of these products. All of them are inexpensive. All of them bring the miracle of Borax into your home in convenient form. For example, 20 Mule Team Borax in its neat red and white and black package is the perfect cleanser for ice boxes. Why? Because 20 Mule Team Borax is a gleaming white powder that is clean as desert sunshine itself and absolutely odorless. Just what you want to cleanse food containers. Take a pan or bucket of warm water and dump some 20 mule team Borax in it, wring out a clean cloth or sponge in it and wipe the entire inside of the icebox. Take the cube trays out and wash them separately again in warm water in which 20 borax has been dissolved. When you are through, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that your icebox, where most of the family food is kept in summer, is absolutely sweet and clean, with no odor left from the cleansing to spoil the flavor of the food.

[Smitty]

It.