I'm sick o' the smell of 'em. Montoya is all right, too. It ain't
that."

Roth gazed at the boy, wondering if he would say anything about the
six-gun. He liked Pete and yet he felt a little disappointed that Pete
should have taken him altogether for granted.

"Montoya was in--yesterday," said Roth.

"Uh-huh? Said he was comin' over here. He's back in camp. Me and
Andy was lookin' for a Chola that wants to sell a hoss."

"Mighty poor lot of cayuses round here, Pete. What you want with a
horse?"

"'T ain't the hoss. It's the saddle an' bridle I'm after. If I were
to offer to buy a saddle an' bridle I'd git stuck jest as much for 'em
as I would if I was to buy the whole works. Might jest as well have
the hoss. I could trade him for a pair of chaps, mebby."

"Goin' to quit the sheep business?"

"Mebby--if I can git a job ridin'."

"Well, good luck. I got to close up. Come over and see me before you
break camp."

"I sure will! Thank you for the--for buyin' them hides."

Pete felt relieved--and yet not satisfied. He had wanted to speak