Page pushed back the broken brim of his hat and looked up. “You wouldn’t believe it,” he said, imparting a cheerful confidence, “but ten years ago I had horses to lend to every man ’tween here and Thief River.” He nodded toward Sleepy Cat with a wrecked smile, and by a dramatic chance the broken hat brim fell with the words: “They’ve got ’em all.”
“Your fault, Bull.”
“Say!” Up went the broken brim, and the whiskied face lighted with a shaking smile, “you turned some trick on that Calabasas crew––some fight,” Bull chuckled.
“Bull, is old Duke Morgan a Republican?”
Bull looked surprised at the turn of de Spain’s question, but answered in good faith: “Duke votes ’most any ticket that’s agin the railroad.”
“How about picking a couple of good barnmen over in the Gap, Bull?”
“What kind of a job y’got?”
“See McAlpin the next time you’re over at 227 Calabasas. How about that girl that lives with Duke?”
Bull’s face lighted. “Nan! Say! she’s a little hummer!”
“I hear she’s gone down to Thief River teaching school.”