"Pretty smooth—for a kid," said Malvey.
"Worth a blanket?" queried The Spider, which meant, worth hiding from the law until such time as| a blanket was not necessary.
"I'd say so."
They turned and entered the saloon. The Spider crept from the middle of his web and made plain his immediate desire. "Strangers are welcome in Showdown, riding single," he told Pete. "We aren't hooked up to entertain a crowd. If you got friends coming—friends that are suffering to see you—why, you ain't here when they come. And you ain't been here. If nobody is following your smoke, why, take your time."
"I'll be takin' my hoss when he gits done feedin'," stated Pete.
The Spider nodded approval. Showdown had troubles of its own.
"Malvey, did you say you were riding south?"
"Uh-huh."
"Kind of funny—but I was headin' south myself," said Pete. "Bein' a stranger I might git lost alone."
"Which wouldn't scare you none," guffawed, Malvey.