in' about is skunks," he explained, to nobody in
particular -- "hydrophoby skunks -- their bite.
Why," he continued, warming to his subject and
seemingly ignorant of its myths, "I once seen
a man ride into San Mercial with his face that
white it wouldn't 'a' showed a chalk mark! And
he was holdin' up his thumb like it was pizen -- which
it was! And he was cuttin' for old Doc
Struthers that fast his cayuse was sparkin' out
of his ears. Bit by a hydrophoby skunk -- yes,
sirree. Got to the Doc's just in time, too! But
he allus was lucky -- the Doc! Money jest rolled
into that party all the time. But some folks don't
jest quite make it -- horses gives out, or something.
And if they ain't got the sand to shoot the finger
off--"

A sudden shadow across the window checked
him. He quietly reached for his gun. Also,
Johnson lifted quick eyes to the window. And
now Jim turned his head. Directly Glover rose
to his feet; Johnson got up off his stool; Jim flung
to the door. A moment they stood tense. Then
Jim moved cautiously to the window. He gazed
outside. As he did so his features relaxed. Presently
he returned to the table.

"That horse," he explained, eyes twinkling.

The others returned to their places. All were
visibly relieved. But Glover did not go on with
his yarn. Lighting his pipe again, he fell to smoking
in thoughtful silence.

Jim picked up his cards. He saw four kings.
But he felt no elation. Before him was a mere

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p181 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p182w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p183

v?