“That so? Whar'd ye git him? Good for cattle?” The crowd began to gather.
Bill grew mysterious, and even more than usually reserved.
“Good fer cattle! Well, I ain't much on gamblin', but I've got a leetle in my pants that says that there pinto kin outwork any blanked bronco in this outfit, givin' him a fair show after the cattle.”
The men became interested.
“Whar was he raised?”
“Dunno.”
“Whar'd ye git him? Across the line?”
“No,” said Bill stoutly, “right in this here country. The Dook there knows him.”
This at once raised the pinto several points. To be known, and, as Bill's tone indicated, favorably known by The Duke, was a testimonial to which any horse might aspire.
“Whar'd ye git him, Bill? Don't be so blanked oncommunicatin'!” said an impatient voice.