A dozen or more of the cowboys were at the house when they arrived, all
ravenous for "grub." Outside of the door was a broad bench on which was a
basin, which the men in turn replenished from a hogshead standing near,
and in which they plunged their hands and faces, emerging dripping to dry
themselves on a roller towel behind the door. The boys did the same, and
as they came in were introduced by Sandy to the rest of the men. There
was a breezy absence of formality that was most refreshing after the more
or less artificial life of the East, and the boys warmed at once toward
these hardy specimens of manhood, who looked them straight in the eyes
and crushed their hands in their hearty grip. This wild, free spirit of
the plains was akin to their own, and although their mode of life had
been so different, a subtle free masonry told them that in substance
they were members of the same brotherhood.
The cowboys also were "sizing up" the newcomers. Physically they had no
criticism to make. These stalwart, athletic young fellows were splendid
specimens, who looked as though they were fully capable of giving a good
account of themselves in a tussle.
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