“Oh, you were the guard.”
Alan felt the suave irony that covered this man’s amusement, and he resented it impotently. When Melissy came to his support he was the more grateful.
“And we all think he did just right in using his common sense, Mr. Norris,” the girl flashed.
“Oh, certainly.”
And with that he was gone after her father to help him water the sheep.
“I don’t see why those sheep have to be watered 95 right now,” she frowned to Alan. “Dad did water them this morning. I helped him.”
Together they went into the store, where José was telling his story for the sixth time to a listening circle of plainsmen.
“And right then he come at you and ree-quested yore whole outfit to poke a hole in the scenery with yore front feet?” old Dave Ellis asked just as Melissy entered.
“Si, Señor.”
“One of MacQueen’s Roaring Fork gang did it, I’ll bet,” Alan contributed sourly.