“I notice you hombres are thinkin’ it over. You’d best keep right on thinkin’. As for you——“
He again looked the man from Arkansas up and down with slow, contemptuous eyes. Then, without another word, he deliberately turned his back upon the Lizard and his friends and walked leisurely to his horse.
As the cowboy and his companion rode away another chorus of laughter came from the group of idlers and this time their merriment was caused, not by anything the Lizard said, but was directed at the Lizard himself.
“Better not let Steve Brodie catch you again,” advised one.
“He’ll sure climb your frame if he does,” said another.
“Steve’s a-ridin’ fer the Three C now, ain’t he?” asked another, seemingly anxious to change the subject.
“Uh-huh—Good man, Steve,” came from another.
With an oath, the Lizard slouched away to his horse and, mounting, rode off in the direction of his home.
In the store, Marta struggled desperately to regain at least a semblance of composure.
The two women, when they had made their purchases, were in no haste to go, and, under the pretext of taking advantage of their meeting for a friendly chat, furtively watched the Pardners’ girl.