PAINTED ROCK
moisture ran in streams, admitted that the experiment might be worth trying. "Though whether it's hotter here, or outside, or in hell, I cayn't say," he answered.
"Who's afraid of hell in this weather?" asked Windy Walker crossly. "Open the window, Sam, and let me have a John Collins. I've a thirst on me as if a prairie fire was ragin' down my throat. I dunno what foolishness brought men to Texas."
Sam went to the window and pulled up the blind. By a curious instinct, for it was hardly conscious, Walker and two or three others moved out of the direct line between it and the big lamp that lighted the room. But Bill Davies moved farther than anyone. Then Sam opened the window top and bottom, and pulled the blind down again. But it had been up long enough to show some outside that the window was open.
"That's better," said Walker. And he went to the faro-table and laid down a dollar.
"I don't get between him and the window," said Davies; "not much I don't. Three
48
