Free Robber's Roost (1989) by Zane Grey Page B

unshaven chin.
    "Sort of low-down for US."
    "We're playin' for big stakes."
    "Mebbe we could drive off six or eight thousand head of stock before Heeseman ever found out," put in Smoky. "What's the sense of fightin' it out till we have to? Let's don't cross any Dirty Devils till we come to them."
    The suggestion found instant favor on all sides.
    "But we don't want Heeseman trailin' us," expostulated Hays.
    "You mean after we pull the deal?" queried Brad, incredulously.
    "Shore I mean after."
    "Wal, what in thunderation do we give a damn for him, when we've got the coin an' on our way to thet roost we're due to find?"
    "I don't just like the idee, fellers," replied Hays, evasively.
    Jim Wall, studying the robber leader closely, imagined that Hays was not exposing all the details of his plot.

Robber's Roost (1989)

    "Aw, to hell with Heeseman, before or after!" exclaimed Smoky.
    "Let's put my idee to a vote."
    When this suggestion was solemnly complied with, making use of the deck of cards, it was found that Slocum had won.
    "So far so good," said Hays, as if relieved. "Now let's see. . . .
    Smoky, tomorrow you take your gang, includin' Brad, an' quit. Pack a slue of grub an' grain, an' hide out below. Cache what you don't need. I'll go to Grand Junction for new hands. See? But all I'll come back with will be instructions for you to follow. Then you can go drivin'."
    "Good! An' how about the cash?"
    "Wal, them buyers won't pay me in advance, you can gamble on thet.
    But they'll pay you. Just divide with your outfit an' save our share."
    "Short an' sweet. I like it more all the time," declared Smoky.
    The trust imposed upon him sat lightly. Jim had no doubt of his honesty with his leader and comrades. Herein lay another reason for the loyalty to Hays. The robber began to loom to Jim.
    "We'll want to know where your camp is," went on Hays. "Reckon I'd better ride out with you tomorrow."
    "No. You rustle for Grand Junction. We'll see thet Happy an' Jim know where to find our camp."
    Jim thought of something. "Men, has it occurred to you that you can't drive cattle up this road and through the ranch?"
    "Shore. No need. It'd be a seventy-mile drive if we came this way. But we'll drive round by Limestone, an' up the other valley road. About the same distance to Grand."
    "Air we forgettin' anythin'?" muttered the leader, his big eyes staring into space.
    "Nothin' but Heeseman," croaked Lincoln.
    "Wal, there are a couple of more things, but we needn't go into them now," responded the leader. He slid several cigars into his vest pocket, and throwing the box upon the table he said: "Divide 'em even. An' I hope it won't be your last dollar smoke."
    The conference ended. Hays turned to the open fire, and seeking a seat in the shadow by the chimney, he pondered. It was Jim's opinion that the chief had vastly more on his mind than he had divulged. Lincoln gave him a suspicious stare. The others seemed eminently pleased with the outlook, though no more was said in Jim's hearing. They joked and smoked.
    "Let's play noseys," suggested Happy Jack. A howl of protest and derision went up from half those present.
    "I'd play for two-bits a card, but not just to have my beak all red," said Smoky.
    "What kind of game is noseys?" asked Jim, curiously.
    "Set in with Happy an' see."
    "What's it like, Happy?"
    "Wall, it's better'n poker, any day," replied Happy Jack. "Takes as good playin'. A hell of a lot more guts. An' doesn't lose you much money. . . . You deal three cards around. First feller left of dealer leads. You have to follow suit. If you can't you draw off the deck till you can. High card, of course, takes trick.
    When the deck's all drawn you have to eat the card led. Thet is you take it up an'. . . . But come an' let me show you."
    "Not me. I want to know where the noseys come in."
    "Wal, whoever gets left with any cards, even one, is the loser.
    An' everybody gets three whacks at his nose with three cards only.
    Also he has to pay two-bits