"Sure. He was friendly an' talkative," replied Brackton. "He came in just
after dark. Left a man I didn't see out with the hosses. He bought two big
packs of supplies, an' some leather stuff, an', of course, ammunition. Then
some whisky. Had plenty of gold an' wouldn't take no change. Then while his
men, except Sears, was carryin' out the stuff, he talked."

"Go on. Tell me," said Bostil.

"Wal, he'd been out north of Durango an' fetched news. There's wild talk back
there of a railroad goin' to be built some day, joinin' east an' west. It's
interestin', but no sense to it. How could they build a railroad through thet
country?"

"North it ain't so cut up an' lumpy as here," put in Holley.

"Grandest idea ever thought of for the West," avowed Bostil. "If thet railroad
ever starts we'll all get rich. . . . Go on, Brack."

"Then Cordts said water an' grass was peterin' out back on the trail, same as
Red Wilson said last week. Finally he asked, 'How's my friend Bostil?' I told
him you was well. He looked kind of thoughtful then, an' I knew what was
comin'. . . .'How's the King?' 'Grand' I told him--'grand.' 'When is them
races comin' off?' I said we hadn't planned the time yet, but it would be
soon--inside of a month or two. 'Brackton,' he said, sharp-like, 'is Bostil
goin' to pull a gun on me at sight?' 'Reckon he is,' I told him. 'Wal, I'm not
powerful glad to know thet. . . . I hear Creech's blue hoss will race the King
this time. How about it?' 'Sure an' certain this year. I've Creech's an'
Bostil's word for thet.' Cordts put his hand on my shoulder. You ought to 've
seen his eyes!. . .'I want to see thet race. . . . I'm goin' to.' 'Wal,' I
said, 'you'll have to stop bein'--You'll need to change your bizness.' Then,