"There's nine of us now an' there'll be nine more an' a cook to-morrow, mebby." "Gosh, yu grows some," replied the guard.

"Eighteen'll be a plenty for them glory hunters." "We won't be able to," contradicted Red, "for things are peculiar." At this moment the conversation was interrupted by the tenderfoot, who sported a new and cheap sombrero and also a belt and holster complete.
"Will you gentlemen join me ?" He asked, turning to Red and nodding at the saloon.

"I am very dry and much averse to drinking alone." "Why, shore," responded Red heartily, wishing to put the stranger at ease.
The game was running about even as they entered and Lefty Allen was singing "The Insult," the rich tenor softening the harshness of the surroundings.
I've swum th' Colorado where she's almost lost to view, I've braced th' Jaro layouts in Cheyenne; I've fought for muddy water with a howlin' bunch of Sioux, An' swallowed hot tamales, an' cayenne.
I've rid a pitchin' broncho 'till th' sky was underneath, I've tackled every desert in th' land; I've sampled XXXX whiskey 'till I couldn't hardly see, An' dallied with th' quicksands of the Grande.
I've argued with th' marshals of a half-a-dozen burgs, I've been dragged free an' fancy by a cow; I've had three years' campaignin' with th' fightin', bitin' Ninth, An' never lost my temper 'till right now.
I've had the yaller fever an I've been shot full of holes, I've grabbed an army mule plumb by its tail; I've never been so snortin', really highfalutin' mad As when y'u up an' hands me ginger ale! Hopalong laughed joyously at a remark made by Waffles and the stranger glanced quickly at him.

His merry, boyish face, underlined by a jaw showing great firmness and set with an expression of aggressive self-reliance, impressed the stranger and he remarked to Red, who lounged lazily near him, that he was surprised to see such a face on so young a man and he asked who the player was.
"Oh, his name's Hopalong Cassidy," answered Red.

"He's di' cuss that raised that ruction down in Mexico last spring.