Experience and association with men who kept their emotions pretty much to themselves had taught him the value of repression when in the presence of others.
But alone he allowed his emotions full play.

There was no one to see, no one to hear, and the silence and the distances, and the great, swimming blue sky would not tell.
Stafford's action in coming to Dry Bottom for a gunfighter had puzzled him not a little.

Apparently the Two Diamond manager was intent upon the death of the rustler he had mentioned.

He had been searching for a man who could "shoot," he had said.

Ferguson had interpreted this to mean that he desired to employ a gunfighter who would not scruple to kill any man he pointed out, whether innocent or guilty.