Alpha Book

From the edge of the timber some one shouted. The cowboy turned and
saw a herder running toward him. He reined around and sat waiting
grimly. When the herder was within speaking distance. Fadeaway's hand
dropped to his hip and the herder stopped. He gesticulated and spoke
rapidly in Spanish. Fadeaway answered, but in a kind of Spanish not
taught in schools or heard in indoor conversation.
The herder pressed forward. "Why, how! Fernando. Now what's bitin'
you?"
"The sheep! He kill the lamb!" cried the herder.
Fadeaway laughed. "Did, eh? Well, I tried to call him off. Reckon
you heard me whistle him, didn't you?"
The cowboy's assertion was so palpably an insult that old Fernando's
anger overcame his caution. He stepped forward threateningly.
Fadeaway's gun was out and a splash of dust leaped up at Fernando's
feet. The herder turned and ran. Fadeaway laughed and swung away at a
lope.
When he arrived at the Concho he unsaddled, turned his pony into the
corral, and called to Chance. He was at the water-trough washing the
dog's muzzle when John Corliss appeared.


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