"I think I could persuade him to want to work for me."
"Perhaps. But then, too, he's hot tempered. In kind of bad with some of the boys over trouble he's had."
"What trouble?"
"Why, principally because he beat up a man—Sam McKee—on the beef ride last fall."
"What for?"
"Well.... He thought this man was a little rough with his horse."
"And he whipped him because he had abused a horse? That, it seems to me, isn't much against him."
"No; maybe not. He beat him a sight worse than he beat his horse," he explained, moving uneasily. "Anyhow, he's settled that. Here he comes now, after his time."
Jane stepped nearer the window. Beck approached, whistling softly. He wore leather chaps with a leather fringe and great, silver conchos. A revolver swung at his hip. His movements were easy and graceful. She opened the door and, seeing her, he removed his hat.
"I've come for my time, ma'am," he explained.