Most of the loungers rose and went forward to the bar. The men at the reading table did not move; possibly they did not hear. One was an Australian, a simple-faced giant, fathoms deep in a Sydney paper; his lips moved as he read, his eye glistened. "Let's go up to the hotel," said Akins. "This table is no good. They got a jim dandy up there. New one." "Oh, this is all right," said Charlie. "I'll break. Say, Shaky, you've seen my new ranch. What'll you give me for it, lock, stock and barrel, lease, cattle and cat, just as she lays, everything except the saddle stock? I'm thinking some about drifting." "That's a good idea--a fine idea," said Shaky. He caught Charlie's eye, and pointed his brows significantly toward the barroom. "Where to?" "Away. Old Mex, I guess. Gimme a bid." Shaky considered while he chalked his cue. Then he shook his head. "No. Nice place--but I wouldn't ever be satisfied there.... Mescaleros held up a wagon train there in 1879--where your pasture is now, halfway between your well and Mason's Ranch. Killed thirteen men and one woman. I was a kid then, living at Fort Selden. A damn fool took me out with the burial party, and I saw all those mutilated bodies. I never got over it. That's why I'm Shaky Akins." "Why, I thought--" began See uncomfortably. "No. 'Twasn't chills. I'm giving it to you straight. I hesitated about telling you. I've never told anyone--but there's a reason for telling you--now--to-night. I lost my nerve. I'm not a man. See, I've dreamed of those people ten thousand times. It's hell!" Weir's head appeared at the door again; his face was red and hot. "You, See! Ain't you comin' out to drink?" "Why, no. We're playing pool." "Well, I must say, you're not a bit--" "I know I'm not a bit," said See placidly. "That's no news. I've been told before that I'm not a bit. You run on, now. We're playing pool." The face withdrew. There was a hush in the boisterous mirth without. Then it rose in redoubled volume. "Come up to the hotel with me," urged Shaky, moistening his lips. "I got a date with a man there at ten. We can play pool there while I'm waiting." "Oh, I'll stay here, I guess. I want to read the papers." "You headstrong little fool," whispered Akins. "Their hearts is bad--can't you see? Come along!" Aloud he said: "If you get that ball it makes you pool." The door from the barroom opened and two men appeared. One, a heavy man with a bullet head much too small for him, went to the free lunch; the other, a dwarfish creature with a twisted sullen face, walked to the Australian and shook him by the shoulder. "Come on, Sanders. Say good night to the library. You're a married man and you don't want to be in this." His voice had been contemptuously kind so far; but now he snarled hatred. "Hell will be popping here pretty quick, and some smart Aleck is going to get what's coming to him. Oh, bring your precious 'pyper,' if you want to. Sim won't mind. Come along--Larriken!"