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Show The dark, alert eye was as clear as glass. The ears moved nervously ner-vously back and forth. Port sensed an intensity of spirit, but no meanness. From the earlier movements about the corral, he knew the animal had superior athletic ability. Still a young horse, it was tall - 16 hands he guessed. For as long as he could remember Port had wanted such a horse-tall, perfectly marked, and athletic. It was the kind of animal a general would ride into battle. Port led the animal over to Ward and handed him the lead rope. "Thanks," Ward said. Port dropped his rope on the ground and offered his hand. The two men shook hands, introduced themselves. Port explained he was a Mormon moving from New York to the Big Blue District. "Probably need a horse," Ward said. "Interested in buying this one?" Port could hardly believe his good luck. Of course he was interested. He would give anything for such an animal. He was careful, however, to conceal his feelings. He had traded horses before, and knew the unwritten un-written rules of the ultimate poker game-the horse trade. "I'm looking for a good saddle horse," Port admitted. "But an animal that can't be caught, isn't much good in a country where the fences aren't built yet." "How much will you give me?" Ward asked. Port felt a wave of excitement. Ward had brought up the subject of price too soon. The man was more eager to sell than the young man had supposed. Port knew better than to be the first to mention price, which was a sign that one was eager to deal. Instead, he asked, "What you got to have for him?" "What's he worth to you?" Ward responded, realizing he had appeared ap-peared too eager, beginning now to play the game himself. Port figured the horse a real bargain at $70 to $80, but he wasn't about to tell Ward that. "What's a horse worth that can't hardly be caught in a corral?" Port asked. "You tell me." "How about $50?" Ward asked. Port was delighted at the price, but didn't say anything. He wondered won-dered if perhaps something was wrong with the horse, something in addition to being hard to catch. The price was too low. "A horse that hard to catch might have something else wrong with him," Port offered. "I could get a hundred dollars for him tomorrow in St. Louis, and you know it," Ward said, beginning to appear gruff. (To be continued) |