AC dBooks

He refused to talk
further, despite the storekeeper's friendly questioning. Instead, the
boy roamed about the store, inspecting and commenting upon saddlery,
guns, canned goods, ready-made clothing, and showcase trinkets, his
ears alert for every word exchanged by the storekeeper and a chance
customer. Presently two cowboys clumped in, joshed with the
store-keeper, bought tobacco and ammunition--a most usual procedure,
and clumped out again. Young Pete strolled to the door and watched
them enter the adobe saloon across the way--Tony's Place--the
rendezvous of the riders of the high mesas. Again a group of cowboys
arrived, jesting and roughing their mounts. They entered the store,
bought ammunition, and drifted to the saloon. It was far from pay-day,
as Pete knew. It was also the busy season. There was some ulterior
reason for so many riders assembling in town. Pete decided to find out
just what they were up to.
After supper he meandered across to the saloon, passed around it, and
hid in an empty barrel near the rear door. He was uncomfortable, but
not unhappy.


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