Some minutes later Carp bought the thirsty man a drink.
"You looking for a job?" he asked. "I can use you down my way."
Carson was well versed in the bends of the devious trail and Carp's ways smacked of irregularities. Carson had ideas of his own why the other man was allowed to start up an outfit down in Slade's range. One day Carp's name would be cited on the black list. As diplomatically as possible he refused the offer of a job.
The storekeeper smiled as he noted this. Carson had turned into a solid citizen almost overnight. As Carp left him and joined another group Brill poured Carson a drink.
"You're a fair risk at that—as long as you stay cautious," he remarked. "I'll stake you to a horse and saddle. You can ride the grubline with the rest of the boys till spring and get a job when work opens up." He slid a bottle across the bar. "Here's your quart."
He stood looking after him as Carson moved to a table and motioned several others to join him over the bottle.
"That's about the tenth reformation that's transpired under my eyes in as many days," Brill mused. "Give us time and this community will turn pure and spotless. I don't mind any man's owing me if he stands a fair show to go on living."
The sheriff dropped in for one of his infrequent visits to Brill's. He waved all hands to a drink.
"I've just been out to the Three Bar to see Harris," he announced. "And asked him about this news that's been floating about. He came right out flat and says he's not offering a reward. That's all a mistake."
Every man in the room grinned at this statement. There was no other possible reply that Harris could make.