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Nature had apparently observed this too, and had, by a paralysis of the nerve, ironically dropped the corner of the upper lid over it like a curtain, laughed at her handiwork, and turned him loose to prey upon a credulous world. "What are you doing here?" said the stranger after he had assisted Concho in bringing the mule to her feet, and a helpless halt. "Prospecting, Senor."
He dared not stay in the cabin and yet he felt that he was a coward if he should leave. Paradoxically he reasoned that if his pop were alive, he would know what to do. Pete knew of only one thing to do and that was to go to Concho and tell the sheriff what had happened.
Both boys knew that there were many poor Mexicans in the town of Concho who, when under the expansive influence of wine, would part with almost anything they or their neighbors possessed, for a consideration. There were Mexicans who would sell horse, saddle, and bridle for that amount, especially when thirsty for seventeen dollars meant unlimited vino and a swaggering good time for a time.
"I tried him onct. So Bailey give you a job, eh?" "Kind of a job. Mostly peelin' potatoes and helpin' round the house. Ma Bailey says I'm worth any two of the men helpin' round the house. And I found out one thing what Ma Bailey says round here goes." "You bet! She's the boss. If Ma don't like a guy, he don't work long for the Concho.
He determined to locate on the abandoned water-hole ranch, homestead it, and, by so doing, cut off the supply of water necessary to the cattle on the west side of the Concho River. This would be entering the enemy's territory with a vengeance, yet there was no law prohibiting his homesteading the ranch, the title of which had reverted to the Government.
Corliss turned and held up his hand, palm toward her. It was their old greeting; a greeting that they had exchanged as boy and girl long before David Loring had become recognized as a power to be reckoned with in the Concho Valley. "Peace?" she queried, smiling, as she rode up. "Why not, Nell?" "Oh, cattle and sheep, I suppose. There's no other reason, is there?"
Sheep and cattle could not occupy the same range. Loring grumbled something and shoved back his chair. They rose and stepped to the veranda. "If you can get Corliss to agree to what you say and quit runnin' cattle on the water-hole side I'll quit runnin' sheep there." And Loring waved his hand toward the north. "But the Concho is on the west side " began Sundown.
"Put up your gun, Ed," said the chief, addressing the deputy who had The Spider covered. "He's fooled us, proper." "Let 'em out, one at a time," and The Spider gestured to the Mexican, Manuelo. "And tell your friends," he continued, addressing the chief deputy, "that Showdown is run peaceful and that I run her." When they were gone The Spider turned to Pete. "Want to ride back to Concho?"
He stood holding the reins of his old saddle-horse "Pill." He had ridden to the Concho to get his monthly pay. "And pore leetle ole Fernando he's gone," said Sundown. "That's jest the difference between one fella doin' what he thinks is right and a bunch of fellas shootin' up themselves. The one fella gets it every time. The bunch, bein' so many of 'em, gets off.
"It is all true, Anita mia, she is even that and more!" responded Concho with warmth. "She is worth a journey to the Posada to see, but then, what is that what are a few wisps of flowers?" "Wisps? Armfuls, thou meanest, Concho! When did the Señor ever lavish so many flowers upon one woman before?
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