“Rivers all high?”
“Not so high as they were. We noticed quite a difference on the way back.”
“Well, s-sit down an’ tell me all about it. How do you like ridin’, Texas man?”
“Like it fine.”
“All yore troubles blown away?”
“Most of ’em. I’m a long way from being a wolf yet, though.”
“So? B-by the way, there’s a friend of yours in town—Jake Houck.”
There was a moment’s pause. “Did he say he was my friend?” asked Bob.
“Didn’t mention it. Thought maybe you’d like to know he’s here. It’s not likely he’ll trouble you.”
“I’d be glad to be sure of that. Dud an’ I had a little run-in with him last month. He wasn’t hardly in a position then to rip loose, seein’ as he had my horse an’ saddle in his camp an’ didn’t want Harshaw in his wool. So he cussed us out an’ let it go at that. Different now. I’m playin’ a lone hand—haven’t got the boss back of me.”