And I want to tell you gentlemen he was goin' like hell
a-smokin' when I seen him last. Mebby you don't believe that? And
there's somethin' else--that old Ranger Trail forks three times this
side of Cienegas--and she forks twice afore she crosses the line.
She's a dim trail when she's doin' her best acrost the rocks, and
they's places in her where she's as blind as a dead ox. Water is as
scarce as cow-punchers at a camp-meetin' and they ain't no feed this
side of Showdown. And Showdown never tore its shirt tryin' to be
polite to strangers. I been there. 'Course, when it comes to rustlers
and cardsharps and killers--but you fellas know how that is. I--"
"Come on, boys," said Houck, reining round. "White here is puttin' up
a talk to hold us--and Young Pete's usin' the time."
Andy watched them ride away, a queer expression lighting his face.
"They hate like the Ole Scratch to believe me--and they are hatin'
themselves for havin' to."
He pulled off Pete's hat and turned it over, gazing at the two little
round holes curiously. "Pete, old scout," he said, smiling
whimsically, "here's hopin' they never come closer to gettin' you than
they did to gettin' me.
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