"I'm mighty glad," he said, "that you told me that, I--I might of made
some mistake."
"You'd sure've made an awful mistake if you tangle with him, Manners.
Don't forget it."
"Your work, I guess."
"Partly," said Pete modestly. "I speeded his draw up a bit, but he had
the straight eye and the steady hand when I started with him. He
didn't need much target practice--just the draw."
"And he's really fast?"
"He's got my draw."
That told volumes to Manners.
"And why not take him in with us?" he asked, after a reverent pause.
"Not that!" exclaimed Pete. "Besides, he couldn't ride and keep up
with us. He'd wear out three hosses a day with his weight."
"Maybe we could find an extra-strong hoss. He ain't so big as to kill
a good strong hoss, Pete. I've seen a hoss that carried--"
"No good," said Pete with decision. "I wouldn't even talk to him about
our business. He don't guess it. He thinks that I'm--well, he don't
have any idea about how I make a living, that's all!"
"But how _will_ you make a living if you stick with him?"
"I dunno," Pete sighed.
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