"You are Tejano," he said flatly. "From the Neusca——"
Anse showed no surpise at being so accurately identified.
"Been bush poppin'," he agreed, smiling.
"Not much cattle here," Rivas returned.
"Run hosses in th' San Sabe 'fore th' war." Anse's tone was offhand, he might have been discussing the weather.
"Don Cazar decides," Bartolomé said. "There is work at the corrals, but he will decide."
"Fair enough," Anse agreed. When Bartolome had moved out of hearing, he added for Drew's benefit:
"I think it'd be 'no' if that hombre had th' sayin'. He plumb don't like my style."
"But Rennie does need men—guards for the wagon trains, riders——"
Anse shrugged as he off-saddled. "Will he want one as got into a brawl about his third day in town? Anyway, maybe I've a day or so to breathe full before he tells me to roll m' bed again, if he's goin' to."