human
I could name you a silent man or two in Brownsville, he said,
gpt
That so? And who might he be?
human
Me.
gpt
You? echoed Daniels in surprise. He turned and considered Gary as if for the first time.
human
Maybe you know the lay of the land up as far as Hawkin's Arroyo?
gpt
Me? Son, I know every cactus clear to Bald Eagle.
human
H-m-m! muttered Daniels.
gpt
I s'pose maybe you could name some of the outfits from here on a line with Bald Eagle--say you put 'em ten miles apart?
human
Nothin' easier. I could find 'em blindfold. First due out they's McCauley's. Then lay a bit west of north and you hit the Circle K Bar--that's about twelve mile from McCauley's. Hit 'er up dead north again, by east, and you come eight miles to Three Roads. Go on to--
gpt
Partner, cut in Daniels,
human
I could do business with you.
gpt
Maybe you could.
human
My name's Daniels.
gpt
I'm Gary Peters. H'ware you?
human
Peters, said Buck Daniels,
gpt
M'frien', murmured Peters.
human
In my day I've gone three months without speakin' to anything in boots; and I wasn't hired for it, neither.
gpt
You know them people up the line, said Daniels.
human
Do they know you?
gpt
I'll tell a man they do! Know Gary Peters?
human
Partner, this is what I want. I want you to leave Brownsville inside of ten minutes and start riding for Elkhead. I want you to ride, and I want you to ride like hell. Every ten miles, or so, I want you to stop at some place where you can get a fresh hoss. Get your fresh hoss and leave the one you've got off, and tell them to have the hoss you leave ready for me any time to-night. It'll take you clear till to-morrow night to reach Elkhead, even with relayin' your hosses?
gpt
Round about that, if I ride like hell. What do I take with me?
human
Nothing. Nothing but the coin I give you to hire someone at every stop to have that hoss you've left ready for me. Better still, if you can have 'em, get a fresh hoss. Would they trust you with hosses that way, Gary?
gpt
Gimme the coin and where they won't trust me I'll pay cash.
human
I can do it. It'll about bust me, but I can do it.
gpt
You going to try for a record between Brownsville and Elkhead, eh? Got a bet up, eh?
human
The biggest bet you ever heard of, said Daniels grimly.
gpt
You can tell the boys along the road that I'm tryin' for time. Have you got a fast hoss to start with?
human
Got a red mare that ain't much for runnin' cattle, but she's greased lightnin' for a short bust.
gpt
Then get her out. Saddle her up, and be on your way. Here's my stake--I'll keep back one twenty for accidents. First gimme a list of the places you'll stop for the relays.
human
And every second, said Buck Daniels in parting,
gpt
You ain't got a piece of money to bet on that, partner?
human
Ten extra if you get to Elkhead before me.
gpt
They's limits to hoss-flesh, remarked Peters.
human
What time you ridin' against?
gpt
Against a cross between a bullet and a nor'easter, Gary. I'm going back to drink to your luck.
human
If I can hold him up jest half a minute, murmured Buck to himself,