"Don't reckon you'll feel like ridin' yore hawss back," said the sheriff. "Not with yore arm swollen thataway. We can find room for you in my car. Goin' to be a bit crowded, but yore men that came in with me can go back a-saddle. I had the boys bury the Chinamen. Don't see no sense in spendin' the county funds over inquests for a pack like them. Packed that Pedro away with the rest of 'em. Pioche won't be no worse off without him.
"That Quong is different from enny Chink I ever met up with. Sort of noble in his own land, I reckon. Me an' him got right friendly. He aims to go down to the South Seas, he tells me. Knows an island down there that ain't on the charts. Goin' to buy him a ship an' tote along machinery an' stuff with a bunch of coolies. Be a reg'lar king on a mountain. On the wrong side of politics back in Chiny, I understand.
"That Miss Burrows," he continued, "is sure one woman with brains and understandin'. She organized us last night with speed an' dexterity. I'd hate to have her run agen me for sheriff. She's the kind of woman we need out here. I hope she's aimin' to stay?"
His glance was quizzical but not inquisitive.
"She's going to stay, sheriff," replied Sheridan. "She's going to be my partner at Chico Mesa."
"Man to man, Sheridan, I plumb hate to congratulate you. I'm too envious. You'll be spillin' water all over the mesa, now, I reckon. First thing I know you'll be shiftin' the county seat from Pioche to Metzal."
