Bostil observed that Cordts had hurried ahead of the group and now appeared to
be saying something emphatic to Dick Sears and Hutchinson. Bostil heard Cordts
curse. Probably he was arraigning the sullen Sears. Cordts had acted first
rate--had lived up to his word, as Bostil thought he would do. Cordts and
Hutchinson mounted their horses and rode off, somewhat to the left of the
scattered crowd. But Sears remained behind. Bostil thought this strange and
put it down to the surliness of the fellow, who had lost on the races. Bostil,
wishing Sears would get out of his sight, resolved never to make another
blunder like inviting horse-thieves to a race.
All the horses except Wildfire stood in a bunch back on the bench. Sears
appeared to be fussing with the straps on his saddle. And Bostil could not
keep his glance from wandering back to gloat over Wildfire's savage grace and
striking size.
Suddenly there came a halt in the conversation of the men, a curse in Holley's
deep voice, a violent split in the group. Bostil wheeled to see Sears in a
menacing position with two guns leveled low.
Pages:
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331