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The Spider nodded. Pete appreciated that his own absence was desired; that these men were quietly curious to find out who he was and what he had done that brought him to Showdown. But Malvey knew nothing about Pete, nor of any recent trouble over Concho way.

From the general conversation at the table that evening Pete gathered that queer visitors came to this place frequently. It was a kind of isolated, halfway house between the border and Showdown. He heard the name of "Scar-Face," "White-Eye," "Sonora Jim," "Tio Verdugo," a rare assortment of border vagabonds known by name to the cowboys of the high country. The Spider was frequently mentioned.

I've read a lot of pirate tales and I can remember when I thought I would like to be one. But I know myself and I know you better than you think. When it came to a showdown, you'd balk." "Well, I'm not sure about that, sir," said Allen.. "I am," declared Frank decisively. "You mark my words, you'll refuse when the time comes." "Then we'll walk the plank," said Timothy.

"You can't tell who's sittin' behind you. But what was you gettin' at, anyhow?" "You recollect my tellin' you about that trouble at Showdown? And the girl was my friend? Well, I never said nothin' to you about it, but I git to thinkin' of her and I can kind of see her face like she was tryin' to tell me somethin', every doggone time somethin's goin' to go wrong.

But prudence controlled the small flare of temper he felt inside him. It did not really matter. Let Shannon think he was backing down. If the time ever came that they did have to have a showdown, Johnny Shannon might be the surprised one. "You’re sure a trustin’ fella." Shannon’s fingers hooked to the front of the gun belt riding low on the hip. "Not askin’ for no receipt or nothin’...."

Until the outbreak of war in 1914, events followed an irregular course marked by the shifting relationships of Italy and the increased pressure from Germany for a showdown. The showdown was the war of 1914-18, continued in a second phase from 1936 to 1945. Immediate political results of the showdown were victory for one side and defeat for the other side.

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.

He was vaguely surprised that a posse had not yet ridden into Showdown; for The Spider had said nothing of Houck and his men, and Pete was alert to that contingency, in that he had planned to slip quietly from the patio to the corral at the back, in case they did ride in, estimating that he would have time to saddle a horse and get away before they could search the premises, even if they went that far; and he doubted that they would risk that much without The Spider's consent.

Young Pete, riding into the night, listened for the sound of running horses. Finally he pulled his pony to a walk. He had ridden north up the trail which the posse had taken to Showdown, and directly away from where they were searching the desert for him. And as Pete rode, he thought continually of Boca. Unaware of what had happened yet he realized that she had been in great danger.

The Eminent Person thoughtfully took out the hundred he had saved. "Some one press the button, and I'll do the rest," said Steve. He removed the side-money, placidly ignoring the "pot" of some fifteen hundred dollars, for which the Transient, having his money all in, was entitled to a showdown. The Transient's jaw dropped in unaffected amazement.