Rick took a deep breath of clean air. "Anything else?" he asked.
Carrots stepped forward. "You poor jokers got dirty," he said with false concern. "You need a bath." He pointed to the end of the dock. "Go on, jump in." His rifle lifted menacingly.
That, at least, was no hardship. Rick walked to the end of the dock and dropped into the water, savoring is cool cleanliness. Scotty was right beside him.
Overhead, the three waited, and Carrots' rifle was still on them. "Back to the bank," he commanded.
Rick and Scotty swam, clambered up on shore, and stood waiting.
"Hike."
They were herded like two sheep to the front gate. Red Kelso produced a key and the gate swung open.
"You had your look," he said. "You came to spy and we helped you out. Now you know there's nothin' wrong here. We warned you because we didn't like you, see? And that's all. Now get goin' and don't ever come back, or we'll work you over so you'll never be the same again. Now git!"
They were shoved violently forward and landed sprawling on the hard macadam road. Behind them the gate slammed shut, and as they got to their feet and looked at each other ruefully, the sound of Carrots' raucous laughter was like salt on raw flesh.