Two Navajo chiefs, called by white men Old Horse and
Silver, were there for the first time in years. They were ready to gamble
horse against horse. Cal Blinn and his riders of Durango had arrived; likewise
Colson, Sticks, and Burthwait, old friends and rivals of Bostil's.
For a while Brackton's was merry. There was some drinking and much betting. It
was characteristic of Bostil that he would give any odds asked on the King in
a race; and, furthermore, he would take any end of wagers on other horses. As
far as his own horses were concerned he bet shrewdly, but in races where his
horses did not figure he seemed to find fun in the betting, whether or not he
won.
The fact remained, however, that there were only two wagers against the King,
and both were put up by Indians. Macomber was betting on second or third place
for his horse in the big race. No odds of Bostil's tempted him.
"Say, where's Wetherby?" rolled out Bostil. "He'll back his hoss."
"Wetherby's ridin' over to-morrow," replied Macomber. "But you gotta bet him
two to one.
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