And all this meant that Curly had won his spurs, that he was receiving the puncher''s accolade. Nevermore would they be polite to him. But he would be their "pardner" and stirrup-brother, foot to foot.
When the fooling was ended all hands made a raid on Joe''s big coffee- pot by the fire for a Java nightcap. Ranse watched the new knight carefully to see if he understood and was worthy. Curly limped with his cup of coffee to a log and sat upon it. Long Collins followed and sat by his side. Buck Rabb went and sat at the other. Curly--grinned.
And then Ranse furnished Curly with mounts and saddle and equipment, and turned him over to Buck Rabb, instructing him to finish the job.
Three weeks later Ranse rode from the ranch into Rabb''s camp, which was then in Snake Valley. The boys were saddling for the day''s ride. He sought out Long Collins among them.◇思◇兔◇網◇文◇檔◇共◇享◇與◇在◇線◇閱◇讀◇
"How about that bronco?" he asked.
Long Collins grinned.
"Reach out your hand, Ranse Truesdell," he said, "and you''ll touch him. And you can shake his''n, too, if you like, for he''s plumb white and there''s none better in no camp."
Ranse looked again at the clear-faced, bronzed, smiling cowpuncher who stood at Collins''s side. Could that be Curly? He held out his hand, and Curly grasped it with the muscles