At least, she had plainly stated that he and Lew had been partners--though Collier might have been ranching innocently enough, and ignorant of Lew's real nature.
At all events, Eddie was a lad well schooled in inequity such as the wilderness fosters in sturdy fashion.

Wide spaces give room for great virtues and great wickedness.

Bud felt that he was betting large odds on an unknown quantity.

He was placing himself literally in the hands of an acknowledged Catrocker, because of the clean gaze of a pair of eyes, the fine curve of the mouth.
For a long time they rode without speech.

Eddie in the lead, Bud following, alert to every little movement in the sage, every little sound of the night.