John rode up, slapping his chaps with his quirt to let the stranger know that he was a horseman also and giving fair warning of his approach. Otherwise he might be taken for a horse thief and shot on sight.
A ROPE CORRAL WAS DRAWN ABOUT THE SADDLE BAND. ([Page 281].)
The stranger rose quickly and retreated into the shadow. John did not like this. "Hullo, pardner!" he called, drawing nearer.
"Hullo, stranger," replied the other. "Are you lost?"
"No. I'm Murphy's night herder. Pretty dark night, isn't it?"
The man returned to the circle of firelight, his suspicions allayed, thus evidencing his own honesty. John dismounted and came up to him, glad to have some one to talk and listen to.
"You night-herdin' too? I heard a bell ringing up the gulch and I guessed there was another bunch of horses up there."
"Yep. I've got Brady's horses up there," and he nodded in the direction of a dimly visible lot. John described the difficulties he had experienced and asked if there were many prospect holes about.