Porous and Silent, recounting friends who had "cashed in" fell to weeping and they were thus occupied when Hopalong and Buck entered, closely followed by the rest of the outfit.
Buck walked to the bar and was followed by Hopalong, who declined his foreman's offer to treat.

Tom Lee set a bottle at Buck's elbow and placed his hands against the bar.
"Friend of yourn just hit the back trail," he remarked to Hopalong.

"He was primed some for trouble, too," he added.
"Yaas ?" Drawled Hopalong with little interest.
The proprietor restacked the few glasses and wiped off the bar.

"Them's his pardners," he said, indicating the pair on the table.
Hopalong turned his head and gravely scrutinized them.

Porous was bemoaning the death of Slim Travennes and Hopalong frowned.
"Don't reckon he's no relation of mine," he grunted.
"Well, he ain't yore sister," replied Tom Lee, grinning.
"What's his brand ?" Asked the puncher.
"I reckon he's a maverick, 'though yu put yore brand on him up to Santa Fe a couple of years back.