The miner frowned, the nephew scowled, and the uncle snorted. The last named looked around belligerently and smote the table with his fist. "I remember, howsomever, that I did see it near as dry, that year I strayed from th’ Santa Fe Trail, huntin’ buffalers for th’ caravan. We passed right through this section an’ circled back. I come to remember it because when we crossed th’ Walnut I jumped right over it, dry-shod. Them was th’ days when men was men, or soon wasn’t nothin’ a-tall." "I reckon they wasn’t th’ kind that would play off sick so they could get another man’s job away from him, anyhow," growled the nephew, introducing his pet grievance. "I run that station a cussed sight better than it’s bein’ run now; an’ anybody’s likely to make mistakes once in a while." "A few dollars, one way or another, ain’t bustin’ no railroad," asserted the uncle. "It was only th’ excuse they was a-waitin’ for." "Nobody can tell me no good about no railroad," said the freighter, his fond memory resurrecting a certain lucrative wagon haul which had vanished with the advent of the first train over the line. "Hosses are good enough for me," said Tex, looking around. "Which remark reminds me that a rider afoot is a helpless hombre. Bein’ a rider, without no cayuse, I’m a little anxious to get me a good one. Anybody know where I can do it reasonable?" All eyes turned to the head of the table, where Williams was washing down his last mouthful of food with a gulp of hot, watery coffee. He cleared his throat and peered closely, but pleasantly, at the stranger. "Why, it’s Mr. Jones," he said. "I reckon I have such a hoss, Mr. Jones. Mebby it ain’t any too well broken, but that hadn’t oughter bother a rider." Tex grinned. "If that’s all that’s th’ matter with it I reckon it’ll suit me; but I can tell better after I ride it, an’ learn th’ price." "Want it tonight?" frowned Williams. "No; I ain’t in no hurry. Tomorrow’ll be plenty of time, when you ain’t got nothin’ else to do but show it. Speakin’ of railroads like we was, I reckon they ain’t done nothin’ very much for this town. While I’m new to these parts, I’m betting Windsor was a whole lot better when th’ drive trail was alive an’ kickin’."