Even before Pete had come to
Showdown, The Spider had perfected a plan to raid the herds of the
northern ranches. Occasional cowboys drifting to Showdown had given
him considerable information regarding the physical characteristics of
the country roundabout these ranches, the water-holes, trails, and
grazing.
The Spider knew that he could make only one such raid, with any chance
of success. If he made a drive at all, it would be on a big scale.
The cattlemen would eventually trail the first stolen herd to his
ranch. True, they would not find it there. He would see to it that
the cattle were pushed across the border without delay. But a second
attempt would be out of the question. The chief factor in the success
of the scheme would be the prompt handling of the herd upon its
arrival. He had cowboys in his employ who would steal the cattle.
What he needed was a man whom he could rely upon to check the tally and
turn the herd over to the agents of the Mexican soldiery and collect
the money on the spot, while his cowboys guarded the herd from a
possible raid by the Mexicans themselves.
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