“I’ll be takin’ my hoss when he gits done feedin’,” stated Pete.

The Spider nodded approval.  Showdown had troubles of its own.

“Malvey, did you say you were riding south?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Kind of funny—­but I was headin’ south myself,” said Pete.  “Bein’ a stranger I might git lost alone.”

“Which wouldn’t scare you none,” guffawed, Malvey.

“Which wouldn’t scare me none,” said Pete.

“But a crowd of friends—­riding in sudden—­” suggested The Spider.

“I ’d be plumb scared to death,” said Pete.

“I got your number,” asserted The Spider.

“Then hang her on the rack.  But hang her on the right hook.”

“One, two, or three?” queried The Spider.

“Make it three,” said Pete.

The Spider glanced sharply at Pete, who met his eye with a gaze in which there was both a challenge and a confession.  Yet there was no boastful pride in the confession.  It was as though Pete had stated the simple fact that he had killed a man in self-defense—­perhaps more than one man—­and had earned the hatred of those who had the power to make him pay with his life, whether he were actually guilty or not.

If this young stranger had three notches in his gun, and thus far had managed to evade the law, there was a possibility of his becoming a satellite among The Spider’s henchmen.  Not that The Spider cared in the least what became of Pete, save that if he gave promise of becoming useful, it would be worth while helping him to evade his pursuers this once at least.  He knew that if he once earned Pete’s gratitude, he would have one stanch friend.  Moreover, The Spider was exceedingly crafty, always avoiding trouble when possible to do so.  So he set about weaving the blanket that was to hide Pete from any one who might become too solicitous about his welfare and so disturb the present peace of Showdown.

The Spider’s plan was simple, and his instructions to Malvey brief.  While Pete saddled his horse, The Spider talked with Malvey.  “Take him south—­to Flores’s rancho.  Tell Flores he is a friend of mine.  When you get a chance, take his horse, and fan it over to Blake’s.  Leave the horse there.  I want you to set him afoot at Flores’s.  When I’m ready, I’ll send for him.”

“What do I git out of it?”

“Why, the horse.  Blake’ll give you a hundred for that cayuse, if I am any judge of a good animal.”

“He’ll give me fifty, mebby.  Blake ain’t payin’ too much for any hosses that I fetch in.”

“Then I’ll give you the other fifty and settle with Blake later.”

“That goes, Spider.”

The Spider and Malvey stepped out as Pete had it out with Blue Smoke in front of the saloon.

“We’re ridin’,” said Malvey, as Pete spurred his pony to the rail.

Pete leaned forward and offered his hand to The Spider.  “I’ll make this right with you,” said Pete.