H. Bedford-Jones

“ He rode a huge, rawboned beast whose eye was roving and vicious—a brute named Celestine. No man but Jake had ever ridden her, and no man wanted to. Celestine had a reputation.
When he came upon Arnold and Robinson waiting in the road, Jake Harper drew rein very abruptly: At sight of Robinson's laughing gaze, a shock of surprise crossed his seamed features. His eyes opened wide.
"For the love of Mike!" he uttered. "You!"
"C'rect the first shot as usual, Jake. Sure's my name's Jack Robinson, it's me! I been having quite a bit o' talk with Arnold; friendly and peaceable. How're you, Jake?" ”

“ Arnold glanced at him suspiciously.
"You tryin' to run some joke on me, Red?"
"None a-tall, Steve; cross my heart! Sure's my name's Jack Robinson, I'm a quiet and peaceable stranger what always gets took in. When Jake Harper gets done orating to Buck, that affluent gentleman will give up lookin' for me, except by accident. He won't be real sure whether I'm workin' for Jake or not, and the Circle Bar boys won't be sure neither. In fact, nobody will be sure of anything, except you and me. That's the best way to play her, ain't it?" ”

“ The other men were much of the same stamp, all of them elderly, one or two efficient, but working for Jake Harper because they had appealed to his soft side, not because they were first-class range men. Jake introduced Robinson as a new hand who was going to do some special work for him, and let it go at that. Few of the men paid much attention or seemed interested.
To Robinson the meal was tragic. He had looked for help here, and found none. When it was over, he pushed back his chair and left. Out in the open air, he found Arnold at his elbow, with a quiet chuckle.
"Live bunch, ain't it?" ”