“You go armed, in case of robbers?” the old woman asked.
“Yes.” Hi said. “Rather.”
He was feeling at the moment uneasy about this couple, lest they should go back upon their bargain and deny the horse, after taking the money. But the man Bright Tooth saddled and bridled the horse and led him out. Hi noticed that the pony was an arm-snapper.
“I’ll borrow this stick of yours,” he said, picking up a crooked stick which rested against the wall. “Your beast is too free with his nippers.”
“Where you keep your gun?” the old woman asked.
“In my pocket, all ready,” Hi said. He noticed that she had a sharp eye upon his pockets as he mounted. “Now, which way to Anselmo?” he asked.
She swung her hand round to the west, to point to the track leading past the German’s house.
“Straight on,” she said, “past the ford and out of the wood.”
“Thank you, and how far is it?”
“Seventy kilometre: sixty kilometre.”