Sleepy and the men from the Tumbling H rode back to Pinnacle with the intention of enlisting the assistance of the sheriff and deputy. They realized that their force was all too small for an invasion of Mexico.
But they found Cloudy Day leaning against the Greenback bar, singing a mournful song, and too drunk to be of any use. Lon Pelly was in a poker game, also very drunk, but with all the appearance of a sober man. He left the game at Sleepy’s request, and went outside while they told him what they intended to do.
They only told him that they needed his help in going to the Rancho Sierra to find some folks who had been kidnapped, but Lon was too drunk to take an interest in the matter.
“Aw, let the damn fool go back to his game!” grunted Ike. “He’s only good for poker-playin’.”
Lon took no offense, but went back to his game.
“What did they want, Lon?” asked Faro Lanning.
“They’re all crazy,” declared Lon owlishly. “They want me to go to the Rancho Shierra to whip Mexico. Nawshir, not me. Whose deal?”
“Your deal,” said Faro, turning and motioning to Arkansas Jones, who was standing at the bar.
Faro got up and told Arkansas to take charge of the game. “I’m goin’ to eat,” he said.
He hurried out through the rear door, went out to his stable, where he saddled a horse and rode away. Judging from appearances, Faro Lanning was going quite a way to get a meal.