“Gettin’ late,” Gus declared, stretching high. “Got a pack of tobacco, Nick? I’m all out. Say, what you boys been doin’ all day? Seems like I heard some talk of a landslide.”
“That was us,” Teddy said grimly. He told the story of their escape once more, since Nick had not yet repeated it.
“Guess you were glad to be on the backs of Flash an’ Star,” Gus commented when Teddy had finished.
“I’ll tell a maverick we were!” Roy burst out. “Those horses are almost human! Now you take that jump that Flash made, with Teddy on him. I saw the place, and, baby, it was some leap! How many horses could do that? Then when I gave Star his head, as the rocks started to play tag with me, why, he knew which way to go. Brought me right out of it. By golly, I—”
“Guess during the time the rustlers had them broncs you didn’t lose any love for ’em, did ya?” Nick remarked dryly. “Well, you’re right, Roy. They’re sure some horses!”
“Can’t tell me different!” Teddy agreed. “Say, Roy, did you let the boys know about that rider you saw on the mountain? Maybe they know who it is.”
“What was that?” Gus asked quickly.
“Well, nothing much,” Roy answered, “except that I saw a man who looked a great deal like one of those punchers we rounded up when they tried to steal our cattle. As I remember there was one hombre who sat kind of slouched in the saddle—leaning to the left. Any of you recall that?”
“I do,” Nick stated definitely. “When he heard that Froud had knifed Brand, he took a pot shot at him, only he missed. Sure, I remember that slouch. But as far as I know he’s in the hoosegow at Hawley. There were only three of the rustlers that made a getaway. That waddy who rides leanin’ in his saddle we got. Still, I reckon there’s more than one side-winder in these parts.”
“Guess so,” Roy said musingly. He stared up at the sky through which tiny stars were now peeping. “Going to be a nice day to-morrow,” he said in a low tone. “Just right for a ride. Maybe—”