Smoke was curling from the stovepipe, but no other sign of life could be detected.

He rode directly up to the door, being now too hungry and cold to pass by food and shelter, no matter what should follow.
A couple of cowboys, armed and armored, came out lazily but with menace in their glances.
"Good morning," said Mose.
"Howdy, stranger, howdy," they repeated with instant heartiness.

"Git off your hoss and come in." "Thanks, I believe I will.

Can you tell me which-a-way is Bob Reynolds' ranch ?" he asked.
Both men broke into grins.

"Well, you've putt' nigh hit it right hyer.
This is one o' his 'line camps.' The ranch house is about ten miles furder on--but slide off and eat a few." One man took his horse while the other showed him into a big room where a huge stack of coals on a rude hearth gave out a cheerful heat.