Rivers West by Louis L’Amour

shoe back into a drawer and out of sight.
    The horse dealer came in. He crossed to the table and sat down. “Neely will meet you. Right here in front of the inn, at sundown today. Over there on the grass, yonder.”
    I shrugged. “I haven’t said I’d meet him. What do I get out of this?”
    â€œYou can make a bet. You can make as many bets as you like, and your friend, too.” He smiled, and I could see how pleased he was with the idea. “I thought you might like to bet.”
    â€œI’ve a little put by,” I said with a shading of reluctance. “And, of course, you have your horses.”
    â€œHorses?” he was startled. “I’ve said nothing about horses! I thought maybe two dollars—”
    I laughed at him. “You’re wasting my time. I’d bet you twenty English pounds against the stocky gray with three white feet, the dun, and the mule.”
    His face shadowed a little, his eyes became worried. “I wasn’t thinking about no such bet. I was thinking…well, just a sporting bet, a fun bet.”
    My contempt was obvious. “Sorry. You make a sporting bet, and I get my nose rubbed in the dirt. Fun for you…but what about me? Forget it.”
    â€œYou won’t wrestle?”
    â€œWhy should I wrestle for your fun? Sorry, my friend.”
    â€œBut I sent for Neely! I told ’em all!”
    â€œYour problem. My offer stands. Twenty English pounds against your three animals, take it or leave it.”
    He shook his head, but he sat still. Leaving him with Jambe, I got up and strolled outside. Standing under the overhang, I looked up the road. Some riders had appeared on the road, and I watched them warily.
    They came closer, and I recognized Miss Majoribanks, Macaire, and Simon Tate. The younger man was there, too, lingering a little bit behind.
    Tate reined in when he saw me. “You still here?” he stared at me suspiciously.
    â€œWell,” I said, “we got sort of involved. Seems they have a wrestler here, and they’re trying to talk me into a bout. But this horse dealer—”
    â€œYou mean Kimball? What about him?”
    â€œSeems like he’s a tin horn. He wants me to wrestle, all right, but he doesn’t want to bet enough to make it worthwhile getting dusty.”
    â€œAre you afraid?” It was the girl. She was giving me that cool, level look she had.
    I shrugged. “Could be. But seeing as I’ve never seen the man, I doubt if I am. The one I really want is Purdy.”
    â€œ
Purdy!
” Tate burst out. “You’d be wrong in the head to think of it. The last man he fought lost an eye.”
    â€œHe might need a lesson,” I suggested.
    Miss Majoribanks just glared. “Well, of all the conceited—”
    â€œNice of you to notice, ma’am,” I replied cheerfully. “But it seems they want me to fight Neely Hall first.”
    â€œYou wouldn’t have a chance. I know Neely Hall. He’s very strong.”
    â€œYes, ma’am. But when I offered to bet this Kimball twenty pounds against two horses and a mule, he backed down. I guess he doesn’t think Neely’s that strong anymore.”
    Kimball had come out of the stable. “That’s not so! I’ll take that bet!”
    Miss Majoribanks looked down at me. “Do you have any more money, young man?”
    â€œI have ten pounds.”
    â€œThen I will wager with you. Fifteen pounds to your ten that Neely beats you, two falls out of three!”
    â€œMa’am, are you sure you want to do that? I mean, I didn’t think—”
    â€œYou didn’t think a lady would bet? Well, many have, and this one will.”
    â€œMiss,” Macaire said gently. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. You don’t know this young man.”
    â€œI know him well enough to want to see Neely Hall put him in the dust!” She said abruptly. “Let’s