Part 10 (1/2)

”Blinky, I came out here to find my dad,” said Pan. ”Have you ever run across him?”

”Nope. Never heerd of him. I'd sh.o.r.e have asked aboot you.”

”How am I going to find out quick if Dad is here, and where?”

”Easy as pie. Go to the stage office, where they get the mail an'

express. Matty Smith has been handlin' thet since this heah burg was a kid in short dresses.”

”Good. I'll go the first thing in the morning.... Now, you little knock-kneed, bow-legged two-bit cowpuncher! What're you doing with those things on your boots?”

”Huh! What things?” queried Moran.

”Why, those long s.h.i.+ny things that jingle when you walk.”

”Haw! Haw! ... Say, Pan, I might ask you the same. What you travel with them spurs on your boots fer?”

”I tried traveling without them, but I couldn't feel that I was moving.”

”Wal, by gum, I been needin' mine. Ask Gus there. We've been wranglin' wild hosses. Broomtails they calls them heah. We've been doin' pretty good. Hardman an' Wiggate pay twelve dollars an' four bits a hoss on the hoof. Right heah in Marco. We could get more if we could risk s.h.i.+ppin' to St. Louis. But thet's a h.e.l.l of a job. Long ways to the railroad, an' say, mebbe drivin' them broomies isn't tough!

Then two of us anyhow would have to go on the freight train with the hosses. Sh.o.r.e we cain't figger it thet way now. But later when we ketch a thousand haid we may try it.”

”A thousand head! Blinky, are you still on the ground? You're talkin'

fifteen thousand dollars.”

”Sh.o.r.e. An' I'm tellin' you, Pan, thet we can make it. But ketchin'

these wild hosses in any number hasn't been done yet. Hardman has an outfit ridin'. But them fellars couldn't get away from their own dust.

We're not so blame swift, either. S'pose you throw in with us, Pan.

You've chased wild hosses.”

”Not such an awful lot, Blink. That game depends on the lay of the land.”

”Sh.o.r.e. An' it lays bad in these parts. Will you throw in with us?

An' have you got any money?”

”Yes to both questions, old-timer. But I've got to find Dad before I get careless with my money. Where are you boys staying?”

”We got a camp just out of town. We eat at the c.h.i.n.k's when we're heah, an' thet's every few days. We got lots of room an' welcome for you, but no bedroll.”

”I'll buy an outfit in the morning and throw in with you.... h.e.l.lo, there's shooting. Gun play. Let's get out of this place where there's more room and air.”

With that they, and many others, left the hall and joined the moving crowd in the street. The night was delightfully cool. Stars shone white in a velvet sky. The dry wind from mountain and desert blew in their faces. Pan halted at the steps of the hotel.

”Blink, I'm going to turn in. Call for me in the morning. I can't tell you how glad I am that I ran into you boys. And you, too, Brown.

I'd like to see more of you.”

They shook hands and parted. Pan entered the hotel, and sat a while in the bare smoky lobby, where sharp-eyed men and women pa.s.sed him by with one look at his cowboy attire. They were seeking bigger game. Pan experienced a strange excitation in the hour, in the place.