Men in the cow-countries shoot as casually as we strike matches, and some subtle instinct told them that the reports were harmless.
As the rider entered the one street, however, a more definite cause of excitement drew the loose population toward the centre of the road.
Immediately their mass blotted out what had interested them.

Curiosity attracted the saunterers; then in turn the frequenters of the bars and gambling games.

In a very few moments the barkeepers, gamblers, and look-out men, held aloof only by the necessities of their calling, alone of all the population of Pereza were not included in the newly-formed ring.
The stranger pushed his horse resolutely to the outer edge of the crowd where, from his point of vantage, he could easily overlook their heads.
He was a quiet-appearing young fellow, rather neatly dressed in the border costume, rode a "centre fire," or single-cinch, saddle, and wore no chaps.

He was what is known as a "two-gun man": that is to say, he wore a heavy Colt's revolver on either hip.

The fact that the lower ends of his holsters were tied down, in order to facilitate the easy withdrawal of the revolvers, seemed to indicate that he expected to use them.