Sundown nodded. "It's the boys," he said, as though speaking to
himself. "I was hopin' he could die easy. I dunno."
'Sandro raised his hands and implored Sundown to save him from the
riders. Sundown stepped to the window. He saw the flash of spurs and
bits as a group of the Concho boys swept down the road. One of them
was leading a riderless horse. In a flash he realized that they had
found the herder's horse and had tracked 'Sandro to the water-hole. He
backed away from the window and reaching down took the Mexican's gun
from its holster. "'T ain't what I figured on," he muttered. "They's
me friends, but this is me ranch."
With a rush and a slither of hoofs in the loose sand the Concho riders,
headed by Shoop, swung up to the gate and dismounted. Sundown stepped
to the doorway, Chance beside him.
Shoop glanced quickly at the silent figure. Then his gaze drifted to
the ground.
"'Mornin', Sun! Seen anybody 'round here this mornin'?"
"Mornin', fellas. Nope. Just me and Chance."
The men hesitated, eyeing Sundown suspiciously.
Corliss stepped toward the ranch-house.
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