"Two hundred
and three head. My patron says to call it two hundred even, and to
give you a receipt for the money when you turn it over to me."
Arguilla's lieutenant had expected to see the herd turned over to Ortez
before the payment of any moneys. He hesitated as to whether or not he
should ride to the rim of the coulee and signal his company to
interfere with the transaction then and there in the name of his
superior officer. The lieutenant did not believe that Ortez would turn
over the money for a mere slip of paper. But Ortez, strangely enough,
seemed only too eager to close the transaction. Stepping to his horse,
he took two small canvas sacks from his saddle-pockets. Still the
lieutenant hesitated. He had had no instructions covering such a
contingency.
"I await your receipt, senor," said Ortez as he handed the money to
Pete.
Pete drew a folded slip of paper from his pocket and gave it quickly to
Ortez. "Brent'll push the cattle through muy pronto." And whirling
his horse round under spur, he was halfway back to the Olla gate before
the lieutenant thought of signaling to Arguilla.
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