Bets rose. Every gambler had been apprised of the sure thing and flocked to the betting like bears to a honey tree.
“Have ye put up ye'r money, Eric?” asked Irish Mike, late the next night.
“Yes,” said Eric, briefly.
“Ah. So.” Mike's shrewd gave slid from the young man's face.
“They do say that Slick-heels Saul is beginnin' to worry over the $20,000 he's staked. The shoestring gang have gathered in the information fr'm th' express agent that the auld cattle man owns a big Spanish grant down in the valley, and has $50,00 to his credit in certificates of deposit from the express company. 'Tis as good as gold.”
“Mike, have you ever seen him before?”
“I never spile sport, me boy.”
It was the last day of the fiesta and the famous race was at hand.
“There is the old cattle man with his vaqueros.”
“Faith, they're a tough lookin' lot, all armed with a brace o' Colts apiece. 'Tis fun they'd have, cleanin' out a Fandango House.”