Overland grinned, and carelessly shifted the lapel of his coat from beneath which peeped the butt of his automatic pistol. Collie felt his scalp tightening. There was something tense and suggestive in the air.
"I'm talkin' to a fella that ought to know better than to get sassy to me," said Overland, "or to cut my trail like that."
Saunders rode on.
"Seen him before?" asked Collie.
"Yep. Twice—over the end of a gun. He come visitin' me and Billy at a water-hole out in the dry spot. We got to exchangin' opinions. Two of mine he ain't forgot, I guess."
"Saunders is branded above the elbows on both arms," said Collie. "He's been shot up pretty bad."
"You don't tell! Wonder how that happened. Mebby he was practicin' the double roll and got careless. Now, I wonder!"
"He's one of the 'bunch'?" said Collie, suddenly awake to the situation. "Come on over to the bunk-house where we can talk, Red. I'll introduce you regular to Silent."
"All right. Here, you walk on the other side. I'm left-handed when I shake with him."
But Saunders was not at the bunk-house. Instead he had ridden on down to the gate and out upon the Moonstone Trail. He had become acquainted with Deputy Tenlow. He would make things interesting for the man who had "winged" him out in the desert.