"Can we ride up, or do we have to take shank's mare?"
"Neither."
"Well, we want some water after that ride," replied Nevada.
"Plenty of it below. Nobody asked you to take that ride. What do you want, anyhow?"
"Why, when Frisco said you was out here we thought we'd drop in on you an' pay you a little visit."
"You have paid us a little visit. Call again next summer."
"Running many cows?" asked Nevada.
"Nope; educating coyotes. Didn't see none, did you?"
Nevada exchanged a few words with his companion and then looked up again. "I reckon you need us, Shaw. Eight more men means twice as many cows; an' we can all fight a little if th' ranches get busy out here."
"We're crowded now. Better water up an' hit th' back trail. It's hard riding in th' dark."